2021
Abingdon Studios
G
Jonathan Beaver
Artist
Liverpool, UK
www.jonathonbeaver.com
@jonnyxstitch
Title: Are you a bit bent, mate?
Medium: Textiles
Beaver originally hails from Southport, close to the seemingly camp, fun, freedom and expressiveness of Blackpool. But the artist never felt a sense of belonging in their hometown, with its politically conservative and narrow-minded attitudes. Beavoer was thinking of a common motif to represent both towns and physically connect them, on a map, in an albeit queer-straight line! leading to a stick of rock: masculine, rigid and linear in appearance, but colourful, flamboyant and sweet in taste. They began to think of manipulating the object and making it more ‘bent’-like, as reclaiming the negativity in terms of the gesture/action (of a limp) wrist equaling weakness or less manly. Traditionally, this seaside treat has a destination name ‘thread’ throughout and after receiving lucky dip letter, G; the artist decided to go for using the not-so-subtle word, 'gay’. A word which can wound and hurt but one of empowerment and belonging. These stick souvenirs can represent the pillared heteronormativity that our society is primarily founded on but also a sense of queerness- playful, campy and fun. This exploration and perception of the tropes of what is 'straight' or 'gay' is a point of intrigue informing Beaver’s research and practice.
Jonathan Beaver
Artist
Liverpool, UK
www.jonathonbeaver.com
@jonnyxstitch
Title: Are you a bit bent, mate?
Medium: Textiles
Beaver originally hails from Southport, close to the seemingly camp, fun, freedom and expressiveness of Blackpool. But the artist never felt a sense of belonging in their hometown, with its politically conservative and narrow-minded attitudes. Beavoer was thinking of a common motif to represent both towns and physically connect them, on a map, in an albeit queer-straight line! leading to a stick of rock: masculine, rigid and linear in appearance, but colourful, flamboyant and sweet in taste. They began to think of manipulating the object and making it more ‘bent’-like, as reclaiming the negativity in terms of the gesture/action (of a limp) wrist equaling weakness or less manly. Traditionally, this seaside treat has a destination name ‘thread’ throughout and after receiving lucky dip letter, G; the artist decided to go for using the not-so-subtle word, 'gay’. A word which can wound and hurt but one of empowerment and belonging. These stick souvenirs can represent the pillared heteronormativity that our society is primarily founded on but also a sense of queerness- playful, campy and fun. This exploration and perception of the tropes of what is 'straight' or 'gay' is a point of intrigue informing Beaver’s research and practice.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0ac130f72b134cca0e7cd3e063e099ac66c8787be4493debb077d017aefbbb6b/IMG_6773.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c2b62e8f5a3528d4b57755c9abca8f04790ab4d7285c1c2f8e4c9f6eb3e8c188/Screenshot-2021-11-16-at-18.37.59.png)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/76481680cd460893df1333bf0c30e0ba033df3524da030be8c1b18593f71b5b0/IMG_6776.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6177f312dbe1398321d73efad735544b1d2046d38ab4522a020a4d215480acc7/IMG_6772.jpg)