About the Project: The goal of this project was to build an “armor” that addresses a social ill and presents a solution to that problem, offering the wearer/viewer protection and healing. The armor had to include three pieces: Something worn on the head, a wearable garment (such as a cape or vest), and an object that could be handed to someone. At least one armor piece must use the required materials of cardboard and rigid wrap. Each piece should speak to the main social problem and its solution.
Medium: Cardboard, rigid wrap, glue, fabric, thread, wire, clay, paint, beads.
Size: Headband: 22” around x 5” tall. Gloves: 211/2” long. Cape: Approximately 88” wide x 60” long.
Process: After the project was explained, I was fairly quick to settle on the problem of anti-trans/drag legislation and the suppression of queer self-expression. It’s both a historic issue and an unfortunately very current problem that I feel strongly about. I designed my armor to address the pain LGBTQ+ people experience because of that suppression, but also to celebrate our resilience and offer a hopeful glimpse at a future in which people have abandoned their hate. After finalizing my designs and collecting my chosen materials, I started on the smaller parts of my project—the headpiece, which resembles a flapper headband, and the holdable object, a pair of red gloves. Upon finishing those, I sewed together the wearable garment, which consists of a black fabric reminiscent of a mourning veil on the outside that becomes a colorful cape of pride flags on the inside.
Title: Leave Hate & Celebrate the Persistence of Queer Existence!
The outside of my armor represents the suppression of queer self-expression and the pain it causes. It’s a physical embodiment of the hate and judgment directed at queer people (and people perceived to be queer). The gloves represent the sorrow of having to hide your true self under the threat of violence; the tears turn to blood, harkening to the violence queer people have faced.
Inside, the armor becomes a testament to the persistence of queer existence and hope for a better future, embodying glee, bold presence, and letting your true colors shine.
It harkens to drag performances, which, along with trans rights, have been targeted by legislative officials lately. It also harkens to 1920s flappers, the 20s being a time when sexual freedom and queer culture flourished (at least relative to the decades around it). This also nods to historical examples of anti-queer legislation and the undeniable fact that they did nothing to erase our existence in the long run.
The eyes on the reverse side of the glove are open wide, finally free to express themselves.
The eyes along the side of the headband represent the transition of a bigot into a more accepting person, and—as represented by the final eye—the joy a less hateful world can bring to everyone.
