'I can do as I want, make what I want. It's very challenging: it's something I build up to each year. I put a lot of effort into it and I see if I can do better than last year.'

Brian Ross began making himself costumes for Mardi Gras in 1982 and, with his complex and unconventional designs, became one of its major prize-winners. He furtherered his involvement in 1988 by joining the Mardi Gras workshop as an artist, designing and making floats and props for the parade and dance parties. His primary motivation was a desire to explore his creativity, although there was also the buzz he felt from an enthusiastic audience reaction. The combination of his disciplined and finely-tuned skills with the freedom and energy of Mardi Gras was a liberating experience for Ross, both personally and professionally.

Reflecting his background in graphic design and architectural model-making, Ross's costumes were more constructed than made and he always worked from a strict set of drawings. He preferred not to draw on traditional Mardi Gras themes or drag for his designs but to create something individual. 'What I like to do is something completely different to Rio. There is a lot of representation of feathers and sequins, and I believe we can use other things that are just as entertaining.'

His costumes were always bold and unconventional. Animal themes with a twist were a favourite as were futuristic creations such as his galactic headpiece with flickering brain.

Ross was particularly interested in finding and experimenting with new materials, including 'all sorts of toxic plastics'. The parade milieu influenced his choice. He painted 'Lobster Mornay' in fluorescent colours to catch the night lights. Similarly, the reflective surfaces of 'Man-Crab' were covered with holigraphic paper.

Brian Ross died of an AIDS-related illness in 1994. He was 46.

+ Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Workshop
+ Costume design

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