A creative eco resource from a queer perspective
In partnership with Queering the Wye
“As the seasons change and rivers flow, fluidity in nature surrounds us and can inspire us in many ways. From recognising our cyclical patterns to challenging binary views that constrain and erase our diverse expressions and experiences. Queerness resists simplifications. We are complex and intersectional beings who cannot be reduced to single labels or categories. We acknowledge the multiple dimensions of our identities.”
Aimee is a gender non conforming queer artist living in the Welsh borders.
Mindfully Queering Materials from the Landscape into Craft Objects
By exploring materials in a new way we can create something queer. It can help us to move away from fixed binary labels.
Working as a group, wrap , knot , bend and twist foraged and recycled materials to create new non gendered forms and to bring them to life through film. You can use natural materials such as leaves and sticks alongside old fabric, paper and wire.
Download the full instructions created by Oly Bliss below.
Jasmine Qureshi
Jasmine Isa Qureshi is an ecologist, journalist, speaker and writer. She spoke to us about what it means to be queer, her journey as a climate activist and queer ecology.
Exploring tools of queer ecology.
What is normal?
What is queerness?
Queer Nature Cards
These Queer Nature Cards were designed by Aimee Blease Bourne as part of a Queering the Wye project. They celebrate diversity and fluidity in nature within the Wye Valley. Use them as a prompt to think about the diversity and fluidity around you.
Book list
Let’s Become Fungal! Mycelium Teaching and the Arts by Yasmine Ostendorf-Rodriguez
Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds and Shape Our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake
Slime: A Natural History by Susanne Wedlich
Folklore and Symbolism of Flowers, Plants and Trees by Ernst and Johanna Lehner
Art Forms in Nature by Ernst Haeckel
Crafted With Pride by Daniel Fountain
More links and resources
Queer Ecology
climateculture.earth/5-minute-reads/what-is-queer-ecology
berlinartlink.com/2020/09/18/time-for-a-metamorphosis-an-interview-with-the-institute-of-queer-ecology
daily.jstor.org/four-flowering-plants-decidedly-queered
queerecology.org
Projects/resources
queerbotany.com/projects/walthamstow-marshes
interlockingroots.wordpress.com/resources/
wyevalleyriverfest.com/local-projects/queering-the-wye/
Queer Ecology
Read more about queer ecology.
Resilience
Explore resilience in nature.