Queerness is not new, and although we have made much progress in recent decades, ‘hate speech’ is still a prevalent issue in contemporary society. My own personal experiences with hate speech, violence and an indescribable feeling of ‘otherness’ are the driving force behind this body of work.
The powder puff carries very unique associations. It originated as a textile object used for covert cosmetic application. Contemporary times sees the word ‘puff’ often used as a homophobic slur. The associated soft, delicate nature is seen as weak and effeminate and one of derision of the gay community.
I am using traditional faggoting stitches in a contemporary way, in order to repair these textile artefacts; the double entendre of both ‘puff’ and ‘faggoting’ being key factors in the narrative of this installation.
The mending of both the cloth and the self, the material and the immaterial, are intrinsic to this project.
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Cretan 1
