Faces of the Queer Directions

2026-01-01

When I volunteered to help with the Billys winter gathering, the coordinators asked if I’d be willing to organize a collaborative art project on the theme: Myth Weaving. The central ideas originated from the “Four Directions of a Queer Person” from a workshop called The four directions of a queer man offered by the School of Lost Borders.

Drawing inspiration from African headdresses, Native American totems, the art of Verasphere, and Nick Cave, I conceived of 4 modular forms about 2.5 feet high. I envisioned simple tube shapes that were also stackable, but with eye holes so they could also be worn as headdresses. After discussions with other Billys, I settled on woven baskets for the base form.

I asked the gathering attendees to bring fabric items, baubles, adornments, decorations, or up-cycled items to add the sculptures. Over the course of the gathering, many Billys participated. Each day we decorated one basket according to the day’s theme: we added fabric, baubles, dried hydrangeas, and all sorts of things (including a cock ring) to create unique designs.

In the end, we displayed the headdresses as a totem in the Heart Lodge at Saratoga Springs. As part of the closing ritual, we deconstructed the headdresses and folks wore them in the ceremony.

Even though this was my concept, the execution was 100% collaborative. For fear of forgetting someone, I am hesitant to name the folks individually who contributed. I am gateful to everyone who showed up and contributed to this beautiful project.

A headdress made from strips of red fabric threaded into a woven basket. There are gems placed here and there between the fabric strips. The top is covered in a red sequined fabric and crowned with toyon (Christmas berry).

South: queer child

A headdress made from strips of black felt folded into a woven basket. Baubles are glued to the black felt including a key, a keyhole, buttons, and a snake pin. A black cock ring dangles just below the eye hole. Black horns flank the crown which is topped with turkey feathers.

West: queer adolescent

A headdress made from dried white hydrangea blossoms atttached to a woven basket. Sticks protude from the crown like antlers. Buttons are suspended with red thread from various tips of the sticks.

North: queer adult

A headdress made from a woven basket. Buttons are suspended on strings tied spaces between the basket weave. An intricately detailed golden crown of flames made from felt, fabric, buttons, ribbon, and sequins adorns the top.

East: queer sprit

Three headdressess stacked: child, adolescent, and adult. The spirit headdress is suspended above them to form a totem.

Faces of the Queer Directions displayed as a totem

The four headdressess. From left to right, child, adolescent, adult, abd spirit.

Faces of the Queer Directions displayed on a table

Original concept drawing of Faces of the Queer Directions

Home