To step into recent installations created by Wells Chandler is to find oneself surrounded by an entire world of vibrant characters crocheted by the artist, their energy animating the space in wonderful ways. While the task of conceiving and executing such large-scale works by hand is remarkable, his practice is mainly rooted in the everyday tools available at American craft stores. What begins as black magic marker drawings on computer paper evolves through skeins of brightly colored yarn into a welcoming and all-encompassing experience. Chandler takes similar care with his approach to pedagogy, fostering an environment that allows students to be open and vulnerable together.

In addition to his work throughout the semester with undergraduate and graduate students, Chandler will discuss the trajectory of his work exploring ecology, community, gender, and queer iconography through the mediums of crochet, embroidery, drawing, and cake during an artist talk on Thursday, March 23, at 5:15 p.m. in the Abby and Howard Milstein Auditorium. In advance of that event, he shared insights into his process and motivations.

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When I started exploring your work, crafted out of so much amazing yarn, embroidery floss, fabric, and even decorative plastic trinkets and repurposed food items, I immediately wanted to invite you to go shopping at JOANN or Michaels. I wanted to see what attracted your eye or inspired you. This fantasy shopping trip aside, can you share a bit about how you came to invest in this particular media palette?

I will totally go shopping with you! I primarily source my materials from both of those stores, as well as a few specialty yarn shops. This sort of happened accidentally. When I was completing my undergraduate studies, I was not aware that there was a fine arts store in Dallas until the second semester of my senior year. Simultaneously across the country, craft was on its last legs and schools were removing any association to it. Feminist art and feminism was also super unpopular. I am an iconoclast and tend to embrace things that others reject and view dismissal as a potent site to dig in.

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