Wig Heavier Than A Boot is a mesmerizing narrative composed of photographs by David Johnson and poems by Philip Matthews. The multiple perspectives and layers of performance embedded in each medium seamlessly unfold and intertwine throughout the book, introducing the reader to the independent and blended identities of Philip and his “drag consciousness” Petal.

In the text, the intimate relationship between narrator and reader is clearly established as Matthews conveys the tensions and pleasures of his experiences and the provenance of Petal. The poems are enrapturing, quickly placing the reader in the position of willing voyeur, learning about the vulnerabilities and joys of our characters. The inclusion of both typed and hand-written poems not only adds visual intrigue to the book, but also complicates the relationship of the narrator and protagonist, highlighting Philip and Petal’s complex harmonies. 

Johnson’s photographs are captivating. His attention to detail in all forms from portraiture to still life to landscape is striking. The partnership between Johnson as image-maker and Matthews as model takes on a life of its own. The exchanges are earnest, and just as each collaborator sees the other, they extend the invitation to the viewer to sit in the stillness. Every composition is rich with visual and conceptual depth, with a luscious tonal range and careful consideration of the frame. Despite the staging and performance, the work does not read as forced, but rather as slowly and carefully revealed. There is a delicate balance on every page and spread, and a shared voice and responsibility of the contributors to tell the stories and leave room for reflection and interpretation. 

Matthews’ words command the reader’s attention, and his language is both playful and emphatic. I’m struck by the tenderness and strength present in the poems and the photographs. Throughout the book we see Petal and Philip triumphant at times, gaze fixed, standing atop downed trees, on roofs and asserting their presence in various thresholds. In other moments, each subject can be reclusive or contemplative, all while the merging and separation of the two figures in the visual and poetic space becomes a constant strength of the work and a steady reminder of the complexity of one’s thoughts, fears, hopes, and truths. The care with which the ideas of personhood, gender fluidity and gender expression are conveyed is prominent throughout the entire work.

The collaboration is not so much a synchronization as it is a call and response, valuing each artist’s independent vision, while allowing the collective form to extend the dialog with the audience. In terms of design and sequence, the book just feels good in your hands. The size and weight, as well as the tactile details of the cover material and the paper choice all feel right. The tantalizing color and the camouflaged figure on the cover work well in establishing tone. This dynamic collection of text and image celebrates a multifaceted queer identity through intimate undertakings. Thank you to the co-authors for allowing us to clearly see and hear Philip and Petal and to see part of ourselves in each of them.