Queer Threads: Crafting Identity and Community

by John Chaich, Todd Oldham

"Queer Threads: Crafting Identity and Community" spotlights an international, intergenerational, intersectional mix of thirty artists who are remixing fiber craft traditions, such as crochet, embroidery, quilting, and sewing, while reconsidering the binaries of art and craft, masculine and feminine, and gay and straight. Designed by Todd Oldham and edited by John Chaich, this 192-page, hardcover, 8 x 10-inch book features full-color spreads of each artist's work, along with intimate details of selections and artist studios, as well as an introductory essay by Chaich, who curated the exhibition of the same name that inspired this book. To further examine how queerness informs their work in fiber and textiles, or vice versa, the artists are interviewed by makers and thinkers from the worlds of dance, design, fashion, media, music, museums, scholarship, and more--many members of the LGBTQ community themselves, and otherwise passionate allies. Smart yet playful, critical yet celebratory, the resulting dialogues are as colorful, challenging, personal, and universal as the works discussed and talents showcased. "Queer Threads" is not just an exploration of fiber art and crafts, but also a celebration of the creativity, diversity, and vibrancy of contemporary queer culture.

Genres: Nonfiction, Queer, LGBT, Art, Art History, Crafts

192 pages, Hardcover

Published April 1, 2017

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy the beautiful artists who express their PRIDE through mixed media, knitting, crotcheting, painting, photography and more.
Tons of photos, inspirational ideas and interviews with all of the artists are included in this book.

Let your Pride and artistic Flags fly!

[amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

so much inspiration for my art moving forward and so many cool interviews with the artists!! also so much deep history and love and queerness, i was fully crying over most of this book just paging through the photos of queer art made by people like me
kinda wish the interviews were paired up with the art so i could more directly look between them, but i get not wanting to interrupt the flow of the art for the interviews

[Konner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect in every way. Mind blowing fiber art by diverse and fascinating people, beautifully photographed and arranged alongside illuminating interviews.

[Morgan Denham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original Book Publication Date: Ammo Books April 1, 2017 (It seems it was published online first in 2014 as an article https://leslielohman.org/exhibitions/... , then made into a book in 2017)
Awards: Stonewall Book Award-Barbara Gittings Literature Award, Stonewall Book Award-Israel Fishman Non-Fiction Award

This book explores (as the title mentions) community, identity, and expression through art. Contains pictures of various modes and media, good source of inspiration!

[Justin Allard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The artwork for me was the main allure of the book. While some of the interviews went to interesting places, I don't all of them achieved everything they could have. It was fascinating to read a bunch of queer artists talk about their work, though.

[Priscilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just saw queer and fiber art and knew I had to read it. Some really beautiful and fascinating art!

[Mills College Library]

700.411 C434 2017