There is an air of nervous anticipation as Steve, better known to his mates as Shrek, sits in a make-up chair in a makeshift photographic studio in a Karratha motel.

Steve put his hand up to be transformed from burly miner to his new drag persona Miss Shrekrula.

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He is among dozens of miners — both men and women — who applied to be part of the Dragged from the mines project, dreamt up by photographer and make-up artist Jamie Barbar Blaquesheep.

"It's a light-hearted look at gender in the mining industry," she said.

"I just wanted to get people's views on the opposite sex, gender in the workplace, issues of masculinity and femininity, and suicide awareness."

Jamie Barbar Blaquesheep is the mind behind Dragged from the mines. ( Supplied: Jamie Barbar Blaquesheep )

'Drag is fun'

Jamie said using drag to look at these issues kept it light-hearted.

"Drag is fun. I don't want to ask questions that will spark arguments, which can often happen when we talk about this kind of thing," she said.

"I don't want anyone to feel like it's aimed at them or that I'm pointing a finger. It doesn't have to be so serious."

Steve Valenta in his newly found drag persona 'Miss Shrekula'. ( Supplied: Jamie Barbar Blaquesheep )

Jamie said all the participants in the project discussed the impact of gender on their daily lives.

"The men feel like they need to uphold this masculine stature and it gets heavy for them, and then women cop the brunt of that and it just gets out of balance," she said.

"I think that's what people don't understand, we all have masculine and feminine qualities and it's about trying to find the balance."

Steve's wife was very supportive of her husband's decision to go drag for a cause. ( Supplied: Jamie Barbar Blaquesheep )

'Dad, you've got to act like a lady'

Steve, a machine operator who hails from Pannawonica, said he volunteered for personal reasons.

In the past 12 months there has been a spate of Pilbara locals and FIFO workers who have committed suicide.

"When the idea of getting involved was first broached, one of the girls from work mentioned it, and it fits in with me wanting to do something about suicide awareness and men's health," he said.

"I've done this because I've experienced mates and family suicide, and it's also just a bit of fun."

Steve said the mining industry had changed in his time.

"When I first started 25 years ago, it was really male-dominated. Now it's a female and male role," he said.

"In Panna, most of the crews are husband and wife.

"You come up here to make money. It's not about proving a point; it's trying to get somewhere in life."

Steve's family is supportive, with wife Jennifer donating one of her dresses for Steve to wear.

"One of the numbers I'm wearing is her dress, and she's quite taken aback that I can fit into her clothes," he said.

Steve's biggest issue, as he sits in the make-up chair, is the strappy 12-centimetre gold heels.

"I've had a couple of practices," he said.

"When I first got them, I put them on and my daughter said, 'Dad you've got to act like a lady'. Yeah, well, I'm not a lady am I?"

Karratha local Rhys Heland was one of the many people to volunteer for the Dragged from the mines project. ( Supplied: Jamie Barbar Blaquesheep )

Suicide has 'been going on for years' in mining

Another miner, Rhys, jumped at the opportunity to be part of the project.

"I'm happy to be doing anything to raise awareness of FIFO suicides and start any sort of conversation," he said.

"I knew six out of seven of the people who recently committed suicide. I've worked in an industry where it's been ongoing for years and it's something that we can all change, I think."

Jamie Barbar Blaquesheep said she loved the transformation of people when they had a drag-style makeover.

"In my years of being a photographer and make-up artist, I have done a number of drag photo shoots and I'm always amazed at the transformation of people," she said.

"The way they embrace themselves as an entity of the opposite sex, the empowerment they feel in that moment and the thoughts and emotions it evokes in them are very powerful for the individual and the observer."

While keen to keep the mood of the project light-hearted, Jamie said the underlying message was very serious.

"Toxic masculinity and femininity are issues that are relevant to everyone," she said.

"Talking about this issue is important for a number of reasons including gender equality, reducing gender-based violence, and feelings of inadequacy.

"We need to be aware of it, to see the gender issues and talk about them.

"Most importantly we need to teach our children how damaging [feelings of inadequacy and not talking about issues] can be to all of us."