8 AUGUST - 10 SEPTEMBER 2022

 FELTDARK

Sam Matthewman
Gauge: Our Intertwined Tether

Rope, thread and yarn are materials whose fundamental characteristics are the same. The only physical disparity is the gauge of the cord. However, society determines their gendered value. Through a historical lens of gender binary associations rope is masculine, thread and yarn are feminine.

As a child, Sam Matthewman found comfort crafting a "tom-boy stitch". Harsh recollections of name calling, "sissy", "faggot", now fuel an art practice that deeply expresses queer freedom, unafflicted by societal pressures. The once confused child bonds a bundle of sticks, reclaiming and redefining the use of the word "faggot" which is defined as a 'unit' of measurement. The subversion continues with the “manly” rope. As a child Sam was taught to tie strong trailer hitching knots by a paternal lineage of tradesmen. The Rope, made of the same fibres of yarn and thread, is then crafted into something beautiful, a crocheted dress.

The work Gauge: Our Intertwined Tether is about subverting the societal need to categorise. The rope, thread and yarn have been intertwined and joined into a single cord, with the threads being used regardless of what gendered role you might expect from the material itself. Deeply personal, intimate and vulnerable moments have been created with this piece. Sharing the childhood interest of knitting and embracing traits of femininity and masculinity Sam continues to pursue the message of, when given the chance we can transcend our limitations of freedom.

Artist Bio

Sam Matthewman is a queer artist and performer based on Kaurna Land in South Australia. Their creative career was ignited within a contemporary circus company and continues to be a significant aspect of their life and career. Through the use of sculptural and installation art they work predominantly with ceramic and textile materials, recently known for incorporating cast elbows of fellow acrobats.

Sam graduated in 2021 from the University of South Australia’s Bachelor of Contemporary Art. They were awarded the FELTspace Graduate Award and were also selected for the Helpmann Academy Graduate Exhibition, winning the City Rural Insurance/Helpmann Development Award, the David Baker Innovation Award and jointly winning the Helpmann Academy People’s Choice Award from this prestigious exhibition. These accolades came on the back of Solo exhibiting within the South Australian Living Arts Festival, and being selected as a finalist for The Advertiser Tertiary Art Student Award, Sam Matthewman’s venturesome direction is sure to make waves. 

In 2022, Sam will be continuing this exploration into uniting both passions of theirs with a Carclew Fellowship including a mentorship with Jasha Boyce, a founding member of internationally acclaimed company, Gravity and Other Myths.

Photography: Brianna Speight