Queer Threads exhibition is back

Those of you who have been following Textile Curator for a while may remember a blog a few years ago about Queer Threads, crafting identity and community by John Chaich. Well good news, the exhibition is back. This evolving project is “an intergenerational, intersectional mix of contemporary LGBTIQIA+ artists who are pushing the boundaries of fiber and textile traditions.”

Featuring work by 37 artists that date from 1971 to this year, it is currently exhibiting over four galleries at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles in California. Covering many generes of textile art such as crochet, quilting and stitch the work explores themes such as history and futurity, physicality and spirituality, vulnerability and sercurity and more. All while ‘position[ing] queerness within the history of domestic crafts and fiber arts.’  These are some of my favourite pieces. 

Richard-Jonathan Nelson Foolish to believe this is their future when we’ve only just arrived, 2020. Digital collage on cotton, applique, embroidery, piecework. 95 x 102 inches. Courtesy of the artist.

Jovencio de la Paz Bent Pyramid (1.1), 2022. Handwoven, Jacquard textile and cotton. 62 x 62 x 1.5 inches.  Courtesy of the Artist and Chris Sharp Gallery, Los Angeles.

Ricki Dwyer, First Impressions, 2020. Cotton, dye, steel, aluminum, ball chain, plinth. 48 x 42 x 18 inches. Courtesy of the artist 

Diedrick Brackens summer somewhere (for Danez), 2020. Woven cotton and acrylic yarn.  100 x 105 inches.  © Diedrick Brackens. Private collection. Courtesy of Jack Shainman Gallery, New York.

dani lopez Tryin’ to hold it together, 2022. Handwoven cotton, novelty yarn, and metallic tinsel foil fringe. 73 in x 50 inches. Courtesy of the artist

Kang Seung Lee Untitled (The Future Perfect), 2021. Antique 24k gold thread embroidery on Sambe, fossil leaves, meteorites, copper, ceramic vessel (California clay mixed with soils from Tapgol Park, Namsan Park, Prospect Cottage), and dried flowers from Homie Garden.Installation 106.2 x72 inches. Courtesy of the artist and Gallery Hyundai, Seoul

Queer Threads: Crafting Identity and Community is exhibiting at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles until August 20th 2023. https://www.sjquiltmuseum.org