Bobby Abate - CRUSHED GRAVEL

PANSY RAID
Hand-dyed crushed marble, Swarovski crystals, rhinestones, beads, leather cord and braided string on wood panel.
12x12" / 2024

CRUSHED GRAVEL

In mid-century America, kitschy crushed gravel wall hangings were everywhere. With their vibrant colors, sparkly stones, and melodramatic scenes, they were like eye candy for the young Queer me. As pretty as they were, they also embodied the exaggerated, fairy tale-like facade of Leave It to Beaver era America, just as the civil rights movement was beginning to erupt. At their worst, these wall hangings perpetuated harmful ethnic and gender stereotypes.

In January of this year (2024), I purchased an original 1965 gravel art kit so I could learn the basic technique then adapt it for my own imagery. In fact, the gravel art kits were a sanitized version of tramp and outsider art. The intention behind the work is to catch the eye at first glance with whimsical, colorful imagery, then, on closer investigation, reveal a bit of Queer history or autobiography.