Happy Pride! Today marks the 50th anniversary of the first Pride march and we’ve come a long way but there is still so much progress to be made. One way to support the LGBTQ+ community is by supporting charities – like the amazing Metro Spark who do so much incredible work with young people in Southwark. If you shopped with SoLo during the month of June then £1 of every £20 spent went to this fab charity but don’t let the donations stop there – head on over to their Instagram and see what they’re all about.
And another way of supporting the community is of course shopping with our amazing LGBTQ+ makers! We chatted to Alex this month about what pride means to him, and his experience of being a queer small business owner.
What was your journey to becoming an artist?
Being a gay, disabled and neurodiverse man, I grew up in an education system which I simply didn’t fit and I was written off by teachers at an early age. I was eventually successful educationally once I received the support I needed and could learn in ways that worked for me. These experiences led me to become a teacher, wanting to create a more inclusive learning environment for other learners.
I worked as a teacher for many years but the physical demands became too much for me to manage given my disability. Being creative in various forms has been an important outlet for me throughout my life. I’ve never had the confidence to pursue arts and crafts professionally before but during the pandemic I re-evaluated my priorities and what brings me fulfilment.
What does your creative process look like?
I have long been inspired by the power of botanical illustrations to highlight the intricate beauty of plants and convey a feeling of peacefulness and tranquillity. I explore this power in my work through the use of creative photographic techniques. A light box is employed to bring out the fine details in plants and I digitally paint in elements from multiple exposures to create compositions which blur the lines between photography and illustration.
Through my art I like to explore issues which are important to me, such as: LGBTQ+ history and rights, awareness of chronic illnesses and the importance of biodiversity.
What does Pride mean to you?
For me, Pride is a reminder that despite what many people perceive, the fight for LGBTQ+ rights is not over and that we must not be complacent, as rights can still be taken away. There are still so many parts of the world where being LGBTQ+ is illegal. Pride means fighting for the rights of all members of the community, no matter where in the world they are, as together we are stronger. We must stand with our trans siblings and not be divided.
Where do you sell your work besides the SoLo Craft Fair shop?
My cards are currently stocked at Flowers of Islington, I also sell my work on the new SheHeThey online marketplace. Additionally, I sometimes trade at craft fairs.
What is your experience of running a queer owned business?
In most places I have worked I haven’t felt comfortable being my true authentic self. Since starting my business, I have discovered just how welcoming, caring and supportive the queer creative community is. Being part of this community has increased my confidence and made me feel more comfortable expressing myself.
What tips would you have for any other artists looking to start selling their work?
I highly recommend attending talks and networking events for creatives to help you make friends and connections. Working for yourself can be exciting and give you a sense of freedom, however it can also be scary and isolating at times. Having a support network of fellow creatives can really help when you’re finding things challenging. I would also recommend attending local craft fairs and markets regularly, this is helpful for both research and networking.
How can non-queer businesses be better allies all year round?
There is a tendency of many business to add a rainbow to their logos for June and do little else. I feel that they shouldn’t do this unless they are committed to being allies all year round. For example:
Making a commitment to being an inclusive employer, supporting LGBTQ+ employees and listening to their voices all year round.
Donating a portion of the profit from any Pride themed products to LGBTQ+ charities.
Carefully considering where they advertise - avoiding outlets which amplify hate.
Making it explicit that they support trans rights.
