I started to investigate archetypal figures and creating regalia for them back in 2012 when I was pursuing my MFA at Maryland Institute College of Art. I have always been intrigued by fantasy and how what we wear communicates something about us. I had no desire to make “everyday wear” or “functional garments” because these characters are larger than life and are meant to stand out. These cloth collages as I’m referencing them now are places for me to explore new material, techniques, and processes. I learned how to crochet with these costumes. I practiced dyeing techniques that I still use today. These pieces ultimately share a very deep story and also allow me to stay playful in creation.

This cape was one of my first and still largest to this day crochet projects. I played with the net light fabric to create this floating cape carried to the wearer by textile moths. I beaded the moth pauldron to explore different beading techniques and supplies. The blue fleece was dipped into an indigo vat to create this ombre of shade.

THE BRINGER OF REST

This is a pieces in my collection of queer deity collages. More of a styling project than a construction one, I have used fabrics I collected from my travels and textiles gifted to me to make this. The quilt was hand pieced by my great-grandmother Mildred, and was quilted by a family friend. My mother made it all happen. Other pieces from this collage have come from Thailand, West Africa via New York City, and some have been hand dyed by me in indigo. This character invites us to find rest, repose, relaxation, and the dreamscape. A queer deity of rest is needed as we function in this current society to allow us to come back to ourselves by pausing and dreaming about a better world. Wrap yourself up in this luxurious quilt and dream with me.