MEET HOSO TERRA TOMA: THE PIONEERING DRAG PERFORMER UNLOCKING THE WORLD OF NIGHTMARES
The enigmatic artist sat down to talk to GATA about the impact of the TV show Dragula, the zentai suits of the Power Rangers and the beauty within the macabre.
GATA recently explored the world of HoSo Terra Toma, a pioneering drag performer and multimedia artist who pushes the boundaries of conventional art. Driven by a fascination with the unusual and captivating world of arthropods, HoSo’s work blends human and fantastical elements in uniquely compelling ways.
Over the past seven years, HoSo has been at the forefront of a creative revolution, captivating audiences with performances that merge the grotesque and the mesmerising. Each piece is a reflection of HoSo’s unique vision, combining elements of the macabre with intricate design to create something entirely new. Through these powerful and thought-provoking performances, HoSo challenges viewers to rethink their perceptions of beauty and normality, encouraging them to engage in profound self-reflection and explore new perspectives.
GATA: Tell us about yourself and your background.
HoSo: I'm HoSo Terra Toma, a drag performer and multimedia artist based in Seoul. I've been deep into the nightlife scene for the past seven years, using art as both a passion and a way to cope with life. My work is all about blending the grotesque with the fantastical, inspired by my love for weird and wonderful creatures like arthropods and other eerie beings. It’s all about bringing those creepy-cool vibes to life through my creations.
GATA: When did you first realise you wanted to pursue a career in drag and multimedia art?
HoSo: The moment I discovered that I could transform into the monstrous creatures of my imagination through drag and performance, I dove in headfirst. Shows like Dragula, which were emerging as I started, gave me the confidence to follow this path. Being part of Dragula’s recent seasons was a testament to that journey. The drive to pursue this career was always within me; I just needed the right tools to bring it to life.
GATA: Can you walk us through your creative process when designing a new garment or drag look?
HoSo: My creative process begins with a dark inspiration—often an insect or some other eerie creature and its unsettling behaviours that I can transform into a striking look. Sometimes, it starts with a piece of macabre media or art. I sketch out multiple versions of the concept, choosing the one that best captures my vision to bring it to reality.
GATA: How would you describe your unique style, and what draws you to dark, gothy, and gore aesthetics?
HoSo: My style is a mutation, blending unsettling beauty with insectoid features. I’m drawn to the macabre, perhaps because I’ve always felt like an outsider; a sentiment many queer individuals share. Horror and the misunderstood monster often resonate with me, as they represent the characters who are most relatable and compelling.
GATA: Who or what are some of your biggest influences in both drag and multimedia art?
HoSo: My influences include H.R. Giger and Junji Ito, whose depictions of disfigured, mutated forms and twisted beauty heavily impact my work. Performers like Abhora also inspire me with their avant-garde approach. The over-the-top designs from Power Rangers and Zentai show villains leave a lasting mark on my aesthetic, as does obscure internet media and deep-cut horror from the web.
GATA: Can you share a particular piece or performance that holds special significance for you and why?
HoSo: A particularly significant performance took place shortly after my time on Dragula and a few years following my chemotherapy. I had been holding in a lot of emotions, so I created a headpiece with multiple mutated eyes that wept blood. This piece was a physical manifestation of my repressed feelings. During the performance, I shed genuine tears, making it a cathartic and unforgettable moment in my artistic journey.
GATA: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career as an artist and how have you overcome them?
HoSo: One ongoing challenge is battling with inspiration. Sometimes, I find myself questioning the value of my work, even pieces I once felt proud of. The only solution is to keep pushing forward, even when self-doubt creeps in—because often, the toughest critic an artist faces is themselves.
GATA: How do you see your role within the drag community, particularly in promoting and normalising alternative aesthetics?
HoSo: When I first started in Seoul, there was barely any alternative drag, and I didn’t always get the recognition I deserved from my peers, partly because I was so young. But as time went on, I found my place and started feeling valued. Being part of a scene that’s growing and evolving so quickly is incredibly rewarding—it feels like I’m helping shape something new.
GATA: How do you balance the various facets of your career such as: performing, creating garments, and makeup art?
HoSo: Juggling everything in my career is still a challenge. I often find myself scrambling at the last minute due to my time management issues, but I’m learning and trying to get better at it as I go.
GATA: How do you see your art evolving over the next few years? What new themes or techniques are you interested in exploring?
HoSo: After hitting a lot of my career goals pretty quickly, I’ve realized there’s still plenty of room to grow. I’m learning to be more patient and take my time with new skills. Lately, I’ve started producing my own music, which has been a dream of mine for a long time. I’m excited to see where this new path takes me.
GATA: How do you want people to feel when they experience your performances and art?
HoSo: I want my work to make people question their own perceptions. If something feels disturbing or unattractive to them, I hope they take a moment to think about why. A big part of my art is challenging what we consider beautiful or normal.
GATA: If you could collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
HoSo: Collaborating with Björk would be a dream come true. She’s my favourite musician, and just being in her presence would be amazing. I’d be thrilled even if she wanted to use me as a rug!
GATA: What legacy do you hope to leave behind in the drag and art communities?
HoSo: I’d love for people to remember my art clearly and understand what it was all about. Being remembered for what made me unique would be the best legacy I could ask for. It might be a common answer, but it’s the most genuine one.