2006

limited edition screenprinted cushion, edition of 10, 2006
handprinted at the Lower East Side Printshop

The Third Leg presents Welcome to Gayside
installation & party with banners, party poofs, pink triangle streamers, framed drawings, and a bowl of free condoms
Eastern Edge Gallery, St Johns, Newfoundland, 2006

In 1985, residents of Gayside, Newfoundland, a small town in the Canadian Maritimes voted to re-name their hometown, Baytona after enduring increased harassment. Was this an effort to distance the small town from any references to gay culture, especially in light of a new, terrifying AIDS epidemic? Inspired by this tale, and mindful of the climate of social prejudice in heat of the 1980s AIDS crisis, The Third Leg locates another Gayside.

The work of The Third Leg instigates dialog with local queer communities and illuminates complex issues such as societal and internalized homophobia with disarming humor and wit.

offset on newsprint, 22" x 15", 2006
made on the occasion of the exhibition "Welcome to Gayside" at Eastern Edge Gallery, St Johns Newfoundland
included as an artist multiple in LTTR V, 2007

In 1985, residents of Gayside, Newfoundland, a small town in the Canadian Maritimes voted to re-name their hometown, Baytona after enduring increased harassment. Was this an effort to distance the small town from any references to gay culture, especially in light of a new, terrifying AIDS epidemic? Inspired by this tale, and mindful of the climate of social prejudice in heat of the 1980s AIDS crisis, The Third Leg locates another Gayside.

The work of The Third Leg instigates dialog with local queer communities and illuminates complex issues such as societal and internalized homophobia with disarming humor and wit.

offset poster, 8 1/2" x 11", 2006
Commissioned by Visual AIDS for Safe Sex/AIDS Awareness Month

limited edition screenprinted poster, 8 1/2" x 11", 2006
designed and handprinted for Hot Topic at Bard Center for Curatorial Studies
printed at the Lower East Side Printshop

Flex Your Textiles happened for the first time in a vacant apartment in Williamsburg in the Spring of 2006. A one-day group show/gathering/ collaborative effort by Travis Boyer, Ginger Brooks Takahashi, and Donnie Cervantes.
March 2006

Flex Your Textiles
Is a coming out.

With both historically humble and ornate, masterful style, we are re-invigorating textile traditions and creating our own.

What is your process?
What are your techniques?

How do you map your desire in sequins?
What do you do with your menstrual blood, ropes, cast-off fabric, dyes, napkins, and felt when you are alone.
What rhythms do you create with your crochet?
Whose ghost is being evoked?
What ancient weaving tradition is having a revival in your kitchen studio?

In November 2004, I initiated “AN ARMY OF LOVERS CANNOT FAIL,” an on-going series of quilting forums organized in homes, galleries, gardens and other public settings. I see the history of family and community quilting as harnessing possibly the foremost political activities: community-building and dialog, creating a sense of belonging for those who participate. The quilting forums are symbolic of the same ideals upheld by my own queer community. While redefining these traditions, “AN ARMY OF LOVERS CANNOT FAIL” brings the spirit of this shared experience to an extended community.

Also considering historically outdated modes of production, this quilt has been in progress for over two years, and will require at least one more year to completion. Thankfully, the end product is not the piece, but rather the process—the informal gatherings and invaluable dialog between friends and strangers.