YARNS ABOUT BLAK JOY

'Yarns About Blak Joy' was created for an University Honours project. The project explores concepts of Blak Joy and knitting through conversations with Aboriginal Australians. Through Blak Joy of knitting, garments where created for each participant - a conduit for their stories and materialisation of their Joy.

The project is realised through bold imagery, photography, bright colours, and a textural-scrappy visual style. Inspired by Kleaver Cruz’s ‘Black Joy’ - coined in 2015 in response to police brutality against Black Americans in the United States - It acknowledges the collective struggles of Black people whilst holding space for Joy as a vessel for a better future. Using Destiny Deacons’ spelling of ‘Blak’, Cruz’s concept is reimagined into an Australian context.

The publication magnifies underrepresented stories of Blak Joy, from monumental triumphs to everyday pleasures. It is an opportunity to come together and celebrate the joys, triumphs and successes of Mob, and extends an invitation to all to celebrate and support too.

All the garments created as part of the project will be on display. 
Visitors will have an opportunity to have an intimate experience with the project as they flip through the pages of the publication and touch the artwork. Visitors are invited to experience this work in a tactile way.