Headlands Center for the Arts

Artist Statement

Jade Yumang examines how queer optics permeate into a culture, and how that is absorbed, embodied, repeated, and eventually materialized into deviating forms through various techniques. This strategy is usually executed through three-dimensional, site-specific installation, and performative work as a way to see how the body resists or submits through materiality vis-à-vis obsessive acts, strict parameters, and discipline. They look at flickers of resistance by outlining historical amnesia, myths, scandal trials, obscenity laws, kinship, joy, film tropes, and pornography. He kindles these moments through meticulous techniques and creates abstract shapes that initially originate from a corporeal source. Typically, these ideas are tackled through a large series to tease out their formal qualities with the context that repetition creates differences and asserts a constant change. They primarily use fiber techniques because of their reliability on tension and force to create materials that are strong and resilient while being soft and pliable.

While At Headlands

I am dedicating my time at Headlands to developing a new sculptural and installation piece that incorporates backstrap weavings as the primary element. I will embed printed images inspired by historical talismanic vests known as “anting-anting” from the Philippines within the warp threads of the weave. Additionally, I will include woven bands featuring words from a queer secret language called “Swardspeak,” which blends Tagalog, American English, Japanese, and Spanish. Some of the warp threads are handspun and dyed with goldenrod, which symbolizes the botanical biogeography of the country’s colonial history.