here's the shirt design i drew, carved, and printed to wear at the sleep token show in duluth!! considering this was my first attempt at linocutting since i made an itty bitty geocaching stamp as a girl scout like 13 years ago, i think i did pretty okay 😎
@halfalgorithm yes, they are dandelions!! i'm so glad they translate well lol; i was a little worried about that!
i'm also really glad you think they suit the song!! when i first decided i wanted to make a design based on those lyrics, i knew i wanted to include a floral motif loosely inspired by the track emblems alex tillbrook created, but i wanted to add my own twist. instead of the more rigid coats of arms (which are sick as hell!), i wanted the shapes in my design to be more relaxed and organic: to me, a key theme of this album, especially in songs like infinite baths and emergence, is one of choosing to let go of limiting beliefs so we can fully grow into ourselves, so i wanted to reflect that in the shape language!
as far as the flowers themselves, it took me a while to finally land on dandelions for the design. i knew i wanted the flowers to signify perseverance against all odds, since that's another huge theme of infinite baths as a whole and those six little words at the end of the song in particular. i played around with a few different options until i was randomly struck with inspiration when i was half-asleep at 2:00 am about a week-and-a-half before the concert: dandelions! of course!!
on a more personal level, dandelions are also commonly used as a symbol of queer resilience. existing as nonbinary and bisexual in the deep south, especially in this political climate, is terrifying. i fear not only for my own safety, but for the safety of my queer friends and family. however, despite that fear—despite the desperate attempts at erasure by the small-minded bigots who want to stomp us out—we're still here. like dandelions blooming from sidewalk cracks, we'll always find a way not just to survive, but to thrive, wherever we're planted. against all odds, we will be what we are.
another more personal reason i decided on dandelions is that those growing in sidewalk cracks are often viewed as out of place—that particular feeling associated with dandelion imagery is one i really relate to as someone who only realized i was autistic when i reached my twenties. this is a big reason why the lyrics "i will be what i am" speak so deeply to me, as well. there's a funny sort of irony to a masked songwriter reminding me to wholly embrace my unmasked self! regardless, it's a very helpful mantra for when the self-doubt tries to creep in lol
anyway, i know you didn't ask for an essay lmao, but those are all the thoughts that went into this design!! also, thank you so much for your kind tags 💖 i really appreciate you!
