Collection Guide
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Verasphere Archive, 1995-2020
GLC 59
GLC 59
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Table of contents
Title: Verasphere Archive
Date (inclusive): 1995-2020
Collection Identifier: GLC 59
Creator:
Faulk, David
Creator:
Johnstone, Michael
Physical Description:
2 boxes
(1.0 cubic foot)
Contributing Institution:
James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library
Abstract: The archive contains newspaper clippings, oral histories, videorecordings, and photographs that document the costumes, appearances,
and photographs of Mrs. Vera, a drag persona, and her circle of friends in San Francisco.
Physical Location: The collection is stored onsite.
Language of Material: Collection materials are in English, with one item in Polish.
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours.
Copyright retained by Michael Johnstone and David Faulk. Work can be used and copied for educational or research purposes.
[Identification of item], Verasphere Archive (GLC 59), LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Donated by Michael Johnstone and David Faulk, December 12, 2008. An exhibition description and artist's statement for "Petting
Zoo: the Art of Mrs. Vera" was added in January 2016. Additions received from Michael Johnstone, March 26, 2021.
"Verasphere" collectively describes Mrs. Vera (David Faulk) and Mr. Tina (Michael Johnstone) and their community of friends.
Faulk, a painter, created elaborate costumes, accessories and make-up to develop the persona of Mrs. Vera. The Mrs. Vera Daybook
photograph series began in the early 1990s by documenting their appearances with friends at San Francisco street fairs and
clubs. Johnstone is the photographer of the series and notes that the colors in the photographs are un-retouched.
The Mrs. Vera work began as a more light-hearted documentation but with the losses due to AIDS, and the presence of HIV, it
has become a vibrant response to the depradations of disease on both the physical and emotional landscapes. With Johnstone's
diagnosis of bilateral cytomegalovirus, the work began to change taking on a more serious subtext.
David Faulk and Michael Johnstone are life partners.
The archive contains newspaper clippings, oral histories, videorecordings, and photographs that document the costumes, appearances,
and photographs of Mrs. Vera, a drag persona, and her circle of friends in San Francisco.
Mrs. Vera is the collaboration of gay artist and costume designer David Faulk and his partner photographer Michael Johnstone.
The characters Mrs. Vera, Mr. Tina, and their friends are collectively known as the "Verasphere." The photographs of them
in various settings is a response to the loss of artists to HIV/AIDS.
The collection is arranged into four series: Series 1. Press and Publicity; Series 2. Subject Files; Series 3. Videorecordings;
and, Series 4. Photographs.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Costume design -- California -- San Francisco.
Gay artists -- California -- San Francisco.
Art and photography.
Photography, Artistic -- Exhibitions.
Costume -- California -- San Francisco.
Drag queens -- California -- San Francisco.
Faulk, David
Johnstone, Michael