The zine paying homage to Warhol’s favourite queen

If Andy Warhol's infamous Factory was the beehive of New York's 1960s underground scene then drag performer Mario Montez was indie film's Queen Bee. Born René Rivéra, the soon-to-be-star changed his name to Mario Montez in homage to the Hollywood B-movie actress and 50s gay icon Maria Montez. The Puerto Rican native’s career kickstarted when he met avant-garde filmmaker Jack Smith, becoming his lover and muse while appearing in the director's iconic films Flaming Creatures and Normal Love.

The underground-scene in New York had long thirsted after a character like Montez and he quickly became a staple on the scene, working with names like Warhol, José Rodriguez-Soltero and Ron Rice – his final credit count for Warhol was in thirteen of the artist-filmmaker’s productions – and to stay grounded amongst the madness, Montez juggled his drag performances and acting gigs with a day job as a file clerk.

Although disappearing in the 70s, Montez resurfaced for a comeback some 30 years later, in 2010, but sadly passed away from a stroke in 2013, just before the premiere of his Mario Montez Returns show. In his honour, photographer Conrad Ventur has published the zine MONTEZLAND, a printed dedication to the late iconic drag queen and muse’s prime.

MONTEZLAND, published by Boo-Hooray, is available from Antenne Books here