Fibre tip pen on cotton paper

11" x 14" x 1"

Courtesy of the Artist

When Calderwood worked at the mall, they imagined it as their final destination: when they pass away, would their corpse have a "Can't Sleep, the Clowns Will Eat Me" shirt draped over their face in front of floral bouquets at a Sears Portrait Studio? Would the air be filled with the nostril burning scents of Sun-Drenched Linen Candles? How many mall-goers would be eating a corn dog or a fried cheese stick in front of them? What mold or living thing would pierce through that patchwork shroud and begin anew? This work on paper explores these questions.

A self-taught artist, Craig Calderwood’s intricate and decorative works are rendered through a personal vernacular of symbols and patterns. Recalling the private languages that underground communities of queer and trans people used for safety for decades, Calderwood develops these patterns and symbols though research into history, personal narratives, and pop cultural moments. They then arrange them into constellations to tell stories both personal and fantasized. Utilizing low-end materials like fabric paint, polymer clay, found fabrics and fibre tip pens, Calderwood explores ideas around desire, biodiversity, and otherness. They also look at how material practice forms its own language for safe and coded communication within hostile environments. Calderwood has shown at Minnesota Street Projects; SOMArts; and the Oakland Museum of California. Their gallery affiliations include Unspeakable Projects in Manhattan, NY and Black and White Projects in San Francisco. Their work has been featured in publications such as Juxtapoz and KQED Arts.

Artist Website

@CraigCalderwood