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Tanner Blackwell

Queer Time | 13″round | Snajdare, Acylic | 2021


Artist Statement

I construct text-based works and absurdist home furnishings to explore queerness, the act of labeling and the commodification of identity.  I’m thinking about the rainbow crusted shirts, logos, knick-knacks, (or in IKEAs case) couches, that pop up every June as a half-baked, but all too successful, attempt at appealing to a queer audience. I’m bringing a sense of levity to the commodification of queerness because despite the fact that the last two years have been the deadliest years on record for the LGBTQ+ community, I remain convinced that the ability to find humor and joy — and there is a lot to be found — in a queer existence despite the insurmountable hatred queer people are confronted with daily is a radical and utopic act.

Artist Website + Social Media:
www.tannerblackwell.gay
Instagram @whatisatanner

MR/QD Is Made Possible BY

Artists stipends made possible by Kresge Arts in Detroit

For details and more info on making a contribution to Mighty Real/Queer Detroit, please contact us at info@mrqd.org

About MR/QD

Mighty Real/Queer Detroit is an art exhibition in June 2022 devoted to 77 years (1945-2022) of Detroit LGBTQ+ art 

The exhibition presents a month-long historical examination of the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community and its longtime allies, featuring established & emerging Detroit artists, as well as artists whose careers were shortened by HIV/AIDS.

Mighty Real/Queer Detroit is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization committed to promoting positive and meaningful images of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community through artistic and intellectual means. © 2023. All Rights Reserved.