Queer Kinship: an [Art]iculation

Abstract

Creativity and arts-based research methods bring value to anthropology because artistic expression can and should be used as a gateway into personal experience. Queer kinship studies have highlighted the importance of active negotiation, ritual performance, and legal recognition as unifying themes within the broad possibilities of queer kinship. However, little research has been done to combine arts-based research and the study of queer kinship. This qualitative, arts-based action research explored kinship through the lens of artistic expression, asking that participants create a piece of art about their queer kinships and fill out 14 days of guided diary entries. The intention of this research was to answer the question: How do LGBTQ+ and polyamorous individuals experience art creation about their self-defined queer kinships for public display? The result of this research was a snapshot of queer kinship in Halifax in 2023-2024. This work also aimed to maintain and increase understanding and acceptance of queer lives. The participant-created art was displayed in the Halifax Central Public Library from March 10th to April 13th, 2024. This exhibition drew on the rawness of physical display to forge and strengthen emotional connection to queer kinship within the wide variety of individuals who make use of the library space. Altogether, this research found artistic themes of the presence of the natural world, a full spectrum of rainbow colors in use, and a high inclusion of faces. These themes highlight queer kinships as a part of the natural world, as well as creating a connection to broader associations of the LGBTQ+ community. This project also assembled participants definitions of both family and art to highlight the individualities and commonalities between them. Participants found completing this project to engage them in creating deeper understandings of their kinships and artistic selves.