I am interested in continuing my exploration of queer realities, in tangent with craft. Both operate outside of traditional norms and work towards inviting personal freedoms and realities As a transgender queer person, I have had to discover my own realty and make intentional decisions about the way I show up in the world. By centering my queer existence I move beyond traditional societal expectations. In a world that increasingly and vocally, anti-trans everyday is a choice to show up for myself, as myself.
Craft makes a similar move, in the capitalistic world. By slowing down and centering hand made objects, craft undermines capitalistic and consumerist ideals. Rather than focusing on the ability to recreate thousands of identical objects, profits, and disposable goods, craft begs to be thoughtfully considered and interacted with. A handcrafted object becomes an object of importance when the artist makes. conscious decision to bring their ideas into reality. Craft invites artistic freedom and expression. I am specifically interested in functional objects of everyday life. What does it mean to seek out a handcrafted comb? An artist made jacket? How can we make choices that circumvent and disrupt the oppressive capitalistic system?
In my work I am thinking about objects that are crafted with queer realities in mind. Using methods of making that are explorative, playful, and a little funky. I aim to acknowledge expectations of objects, and intentionally sidestep them through form and space.