Adrian is an East Coast queer embroidery artist. She has been making images since her youth and was taught to embroider by her grandma.
The images I choose to embroider are of contorted and stretched bodies in complicated knots. Feet are bound to hair, arms are immobilized, and whole people are suspended above the earth. These are also carefully negotiated scenes in which rigger and model have discussed their hopes for the shape, boundaries and ability of their bodies to maintain certain ties. It is essential that I respect that dynamic by asking permission to recreate, show and sell these images.
I ensure that each piece I make involves a conversation with the model, the photographer, and any supporting folks. I ask to use their image, I ask when I make adjustments to the image, I ask to show their image and I ask to sell their image. Since these are depictions of BDSM scenes it is essential that consent is attained for each act and from each person involved, individually. No one vouches for the needs or wants of another person. There is joy in the asking.