Invasive Queer Kudzu

And the biggest news this week is I’m a newly minted ‼️UNITED STATES ARTIST ‼️Seriously—Never thought I’d be honored with such a high profile fellowship! Feeling elated & counting blessings in this auspicious beginning of 2020 @unitedstatesartists And omg what company I’m in: @jenniferlingdatchuk 🌸@wendymaruyama 🌺 Del Harrow, Linda Sikora https://www.instagram.com/p/B7peISvlsp6/?igshid=1d9q1lb4nrifl

Queer Kudzu complete 🍃🌈🌿 Sneak peak of almost finished @quirkhotelcva 🤙🏽Also big early shoutout to @tomtomfestival who will be working with Cville @sidebysidevirginia to bring more Charlottesville queer stories to the installation 🌈📝🍃 (at Quirk Hotel) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7pcyEHlHYk/?igshid=1g1hd6b0pifbm

Formation⏳Construction🔨Roots 🌱What a week💥 Finished planting a new patch of @invasive_queer_kudzu in partnership with the new @quirkhotelcva and with the fierce and inspiring @marie_fornaro (at Quirk Hotel) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7pcIj2l8KB/?igshid=4lgj55tblx2a

this bookshelf is almost everything @leatherarchives (at Leather Archives & Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6rK3BgF0pp/?igshid=xub9ygaphg9d

more sights and feels from @leatherarchives (at Leather Archives & Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6rKBIyFtan/?igshid=1iqt12gcz5p6a

More sights and feels from @leatherarchives (at Leather Archives & Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6rJe8ylzkw/?igshid=cgh5pcmk0x06

@leatherarchives always a special treat and moreso when @aramhansifuentes and Protest Banner Lending Library are rep’in 🙌🏽 (at Leather Archives & Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6rJTYkF8qs/?igshid=1qvwbux9g3hxn

@isabellakirkland from her Taxa Series. First image features invasive species (notice kudzu with heart-shaped leaves at center of image to left of feral cat) and other ones depict endangered and extinct species. I got to see original prints at @universityofkansas Spencer Museum of Art, which hosted an exhibition “Big Botany” in 2019 (at The University of Kansas) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6jJf54Fd_z/?igshid=5g3xgmq34mv5

🧳Currently at the “Queering Memory” 2019 conference of the Archives, Libraries, Museums & Special Archives in Berlin! Presenting @invasive_queer_kudzu project and making tons of new friends from around the world! 💜🌍 (at Haus der Kulturen der Welt) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzQYZKSFHI-/?igshid=njadtet39hxa

Come join Jon Henry @jon3name this Saturday April 20, 1:00-2:00, @1708gallery as part of the @invasive_queer_kudzu Picnic Series to learn about their rural queer projects and help Map Out the Rural 🌲 What does rural look, feel, smell, taste or sound like to you? 🌳🍁🌾🌻🍅⛰ 🌈also in conjunction with @studiotwothree Book Art Fair🌈 (at 1708 Gallery) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwXrSNhFhAi/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ms9w1zx0jvij

Fabulous baskets from Richmond’s LGBTQ+, allies, queerios, flaming creatures and crafty beavers! 🍃🧺💜 (at Richmond, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwQVg41lNLq/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=mtbggq29rft

🍃Kudzu Basketweaving with Julia Gartrell yesterday at Invasive Queer Kudzu: Richmond! 🌈Such a fun day learning how to harvest, prepare and twine kudzu vines! I have wanted to learn this kudzu-positive skill since beginning the project, and what better a teacher than Julia, who’s great-uncle wove these baskets upon returning home from WWII 🍃💪🏽 (at 1708 Gallery) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwQUh1DF_zt/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2vt8fi47a5pd

Richmond Friends: The Picnic Series at @invasive_queer_kudzu Richmond @1708gallery continues this month! Please check out the line-up of events and artists and mark your calendars! Biscuits and kudzu jelly served every Saturday 🌈 (at 1708 Gallery) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv7dky9lKIB/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=hq058przaqqs

The project features a destroyed and felled Jefferson Davis Memorial monument (found on Richmond’s Monument Ave) that is being invaded and overtaken by queer stories, pointing to the intersectional struggles of confronting racist, homophobic and xenophobic legacies long-entrenched across the South. This female statue crowns the top of the Davis monument and is based on a historic form named the Vindicatrix. (at 1708 Gallery) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvpIbdLli6Q/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=vejbdo17pry9

at 1708 Gallery https://www.instagram.com/p/BvpCWp4l8bI/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1wsnijydfoppn

I’m so proud to launch this week the most recent installation and exhibition of Invasive Queer Kudzu here in Richmond @1708gallery ! This two-year project is the culmination of so much story sharing across the South, and locally with amazing community partners like @sidebysidevirginia @studiotwothree @vculibraries @visartsrva . Local friends, I hope you’ll join me for one of the picnic events, and those from afar, email me for more images! (at 1708 Gallery) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvpCAlQFR-1/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1mwnl4eyo9a2y

Richmond!! It’s your second-to-last chance to come quilt with the Invasive Queer Kudzu project! Tomorrow March 2 @iridiangallery 12-5pm! 🍃🌈🌿 (at Diversity Richmond) https://www.instagram.com/p/BufasEVliaP/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=4d05lkhcgjs6