El Hogg’s Gates of El captures the ‘eccentric hedonists’ and ‘radical fashion’ at queer techno rave night Inferno
After graduating from Central Saint Martins, El Hogg made his start in photography with a cheap film camera he came across in a charity shop. Expelled by London’s high rents to his hometown of Nottingham, he spent a period of time commuting into the capital, shooting raves all night and getting the first coach back as the sun was rising. Now that he’s settled in London, he is fast becoming the contemporary queer scene’s answer to Nan Goldin or Tom Wood – a documentarian and portrait artist, roving through the best parties and capturing them in all their glory.
Hogg’s latest solo exhibition, The Gates of El, is on display at Dalston Superstore until January 21, 2024. It features photographs of Inferno, an underground techno rave that platforms trans, nonbinary and queer DJs and performance artists. As Hogg describes it, the portraits celebrate “the eccentric hedonists and their radical fashion at the centre of London’s queer rave scene”. While people are forever bemoaning the decline of London nightlife, Hogg’s work depicts a city which is bursting with style, creativity and self-expression.
Along with Lewis G Burton (a performance artist, DJ and the founder of Inferno), Hogg is throwing a closing party at Dalston Superstore on Thursday, January 11, which will double as a fundraiser for the photographer’s top surgery. Ahead of this event, we caught up with El to discuss his latest exhibition and the power of queer nightlife.
Why did you choose Inferno as the subject for your latest exhibition? Does the night have a special significance for you?
El Hogg: I chose Inferno as the subject for the exhibition as it’s where I found myself, both personally and as an artist. For me and so many others, it was my first night out in London when I first moved to the city. It allowed me a place to be comfortable and to grow. The community is fucking amazing and beautiful. Inferno to me means family and I want to continue to celebrate her. There’s something magical inside the gates of hell. That feeling of us coming together as one on the dance floor in the final hour, I love nothing more.
Is there a quality about queer nightlife you’re trying to capture with your photography? What does it mean to you?
El Hogg: The thing about queer nightlife is that it’s constantly changing and evolving. I’m biased but I want to capture the most stunning people on Earth, being hot, doing their thing. The scene has had my back and has rooted for me in times I couldn't root for myself. I want to give people sexy pictures back – it’s literally the least I could do at this point. I want to document these moments in time and all the fab looks; someone has to and I need it all!
Are there any challenges to shooting in a nightclub setting? How do you get around those?
El Hogg: I’m going to say timing, photobombs, a crowded smoking area, low lighting and working with film doesn’t always collab too well. I get around it by being strategic, I guess. It’s very much organised chaos and learning to see the beauty in an image regardless of the flaws. I love happy accidents and carnage.
Are there any influences on your work that you’d like to mention?
El Hogg: Of course I have influences, but for right now I’m inspired by my peers and fashion archivists. It’s nice to grow together and watch others shine, I think we push each other to do better. To name a few: Mia Evans, Boy Pillow, Jeanie Jean, Rae Tait, Damien Frost, Omer Gaash, Darren Black, Lelle, Roxy Lee, No One Studio, Alex Murphy, and Taken by Marshall. And Fecal Matter said Provoke Society. These are the artists who inspired me to go out and serve a look in the first place.
What kind of vibe can people expect at the party on Thursday?
El Hogg: Honestly, I have no idea... music, vibes, peace and love. I’m just gassed to go out without working for once. In a club, I don’t usually get to hang out with people for more than a couple of minutes before moving on, as I’m on such a time crunch. I’m a perfectionist, I move fast and I feel bad about it, so on Thursday... we party.
Having the opportunity to curate the lineup with Lewis has been rad. I’ve got the sickest, most talented DJs in town, and my own Inferno – are you kidding me? I know there are going to be a lot of people showing up for me who care about me and want to help support my journey. I will literally be forever grateful.
The Gates of El is on display at Dalston Superstore throughout January 21, 2024. Inferno: El Hogg Fundraiser is on Thursday January 11 from 9.30pm until 2.30am.
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