Art of Protest: LGBTQ + HISTORY MONTH, with Rhiannon Kendall

Interview with Rhiannon Kendall

Here at Art of Protest Projects, not only do we showcase big named and relevant street artists, we also highlight up and coming locally based ones too. We think it is important to give artists a platform, who use their practice to spread messages which encourage positive social and political change. Therefore, we are excited to introduce the LGBTQ+ Artist, Rhiannon Kendall. Local to York, Rhiannon’s practice investigates themes of queer identity, motherhood and loss. Using text and drawing, her work often poses questions on the audience, relating to hard hitting issues which are normally difficult to discuss. Opening up conversations surrounding sexuality, love and loss. This is why we think Rhiannon is a great artist to showcase during LGBTQ+ History Month. 

Tell us a little about your practice and the concepts you cover in your work.

I think most of us create work or dedicate our lives to causes that affect us closely and inspire us, so for me making work about my childhood, working class upbringing and queer female experiences comes naturally. I love telling stories about those experiences through writing poetry and creating contemporary drawings and prints. I work relatively abstract and use fragmented text and letters to explore what is said and unsaid and things like closure and loss, doubt, and certainty.

In terms of materials, I grew up using whatever I could get my hands on and that continued throughout my practice… I usually work onto ivory coloured paper and found objects, there is something quite precious about canvas and expensive materials which creates hesitation; I dither and become too precious about spoiling it and then the moment is gone… I like the immediacy of writing and drawing onto paper instead. I think of it as a nod to my younger self and other young artists that are bringing home coloured cardboard from their supermarket student job to make work onto, that it is okay and there is no shame in that - it’s about being given lemons and making lemonade.

Identity and sexuality plays an important role in your art, is it difficult to express these ideas in your work?

It can be difficult because I make abstract work rather than say figurative or literal art, so it is not always immediately recognizable as being queer or about encounters with women. I tend to include fragments of conversation and romantic encounters within my work through using these small letter stickers that I can cut up and move around or through writing in pencil and erasing parts of it; that way I get to say something usually quite personal without it necessarily always being seen or fully exposed. I think what it does is something lovely where people approach the work who might not ordinarily engage with queer art and they begin to realize that they can relate to the work because desire and yearning and all these experiences are things we can all relate to – queer or otherwise.

How important is it, as an LGBTQ+ artist, to create work about LGBTQ+ issues?

I think now more than ever during the current political climate remaining visible, heard and included is important, though I know many queer artists who do not directly create work about being queer and that is fine too. Divisive systems are very much around us and I think that is why I enjoy making work that all types of people can relate to or take something from, it is a move towards unity, originating from a place of difficulty. I can paint trees pretty good, but I can tell you what it is to be a queer, working class young woman navigating the world a lot better.

What do you hope to teach people/for people to learn through your work?

That it is alright to be something other than what is expected of you and to take the time to tap into your emotions and experiences and channel that into something creative.

What are current/future projects you are working on?

I am working on several projects including a drawing series that will be installed at The Bowes Museum once the museum re-opens, I am also planning a project that will take place in Scarborough with Crescent Arts.

Right now, I am in my studio making two chairs filled with ancient Greek sapphic poetry as part of a research project called ‘SelfScapes’ at Dalby Forest which is inspired by my relationship with the environment and queer female narratives of romance, heartbreak, and unrequited love. I am hand stitching the poem into these violet foam flower shapes that will fill the vacant chairs; the violet flower represents lesbianism and queer female desire.

I am an advocate of Queer Britain which is a brilliant charity that is working to establish the UK’s first national LGBTQ+ Museum, in terms of future projects I would love to see some future project or collaboration happen between us.

What can I do to support the LGBTQ community/artists?

Speak up when you see or experience injustice if it is safe to do so, treat people with kindness and fairness, donate or volunteer with LGBTQ+ charities and organizations and support queer makers and creative practitioners. 

@rhiannonkendallartist