Catalogue De stad, de stad

As an artist, Jaanus Samma does not focus on a specific medium or style. Instead, he approaches various queer themes as a researcher, adapting the form to the content of the subject. This approach ensures versatility in his work and the possibility to experiment a great deal with new techniques.

In order to achieve the desired form for his work, Samma makes use, when necessary, of professionals who have mastered a specific craft, as is the case with Sweaters (2012). The series of sweaters was knitted by a team of sixteen textile artists. For this work, the artist spent a number of years collecting graffiti and tags about sexuality and queerness that he encountered on his travels across Europe.

Samma is reflecting in the work on his own subjective experience of the various public spaces in cities where he encountered such tags, for example on walls and doors in toilet cubicles. By placing the offensive texts and gestures on sweaters that are generally associated with softness and intimacy, he is attempting to turn this experience on its head. The contrast between the quick scribbles and the hours of manual work spent on the garments also changes the meaning of these slogans. When the sweater is worn, an anonymous insult suddenly becomes very personal.

Read more on Jaanus Samma