crafty queer peoples

A doc short series portraying artists around the world, exploring how queerness and crafting/art intersect in their work and lives.

Concept & idea

queerness & crafts/art

There are as many understandings of queerness and crafts/art as there are queer crafty peoples. I am curious about how these aspects of their lives intersect: Does queerness inform the topics they work on? Does the material they work with shape their queer experience?

Does crafting train the skill of creativity necessary for surviving and thriving in a cis-hetero-normative world as a queer person (queer in a broader inclusive sense, leaving space for any labels the artists identify with)?

How does queerness influence the context in which they practice their art - their access to knowledge, skills, materials, communities, and working spaces?

What do I mean by crafts/art

Snippet: self-portrait (2025)

In my understanding art is not to be distinguished from handicraft and useful everyday objects, which is why I struggle with the definitions and connotations of these words in English, such as the destinction between high and low art, or the association of handmade objects with escapistic free time activity, or art as something that requires exhibitions in museums. I condemn hierarchical structures in the creative realm and identify more with grassroots, independent art creation. Art is not merely to be observed; it facilitates change by fostering knowledge of different materials and cultural meanings.

What matters to me is the relationship an artist has to their materials, topics, and communities, and how art is applied.

duration of episodes: 8-15 minutes
possible locations: ateliers, working spaces, favorite spots in the living areas, wherever the artists feel comfortable and can show their process and works
peer-based documentary with collegial encounters, the goal is to connect over being queer crafty peoples who work with different media, no frontal interviews
no unifying identity, with individual approaches to each artist (music choice, montage rhythm), flexible indie production
while filming, I have an interest in natural contrasting light, the colourful and whimsical details, and close-ups on different textures; my approach is rather playful

doc style

production & publishing conditions

Snippet: self-portrait (2025)

The documentary series is an entirely independent personal endeavor. This means we are under no obligation to publish something we are not content with and comfortable with. During any step of the production process - preparation, shooting, post-production, and publishing - you can stop and quit the project. Creative and organizational suggestions are very welcome anytime.

There is no secrecy or time schedules regarding this project; everybody is free to communicate about it when and how they like, if the other parties are okay with that.

All gathered photo/film material will be shared with each artist for free use. The artist and I share copyrights.

the person behind the project

I’m Senka, a beading, writing, and filming artist based in Munich, Germany, and Torrevieja, Spain, born and raised in South-Eastern Siberia.

I explore in dialogue how moving through different languages and genders influences everyday experiences (lately: in a novel about a transgender elite figure skater born in Soviet occupied Lithuania, and in a beading project about gender non-conforming saints).

I’ve always been especially intrigued by handicraft, whether it's traditionally handed down, reclaimed after a period of suppression, or a hobby community activity. This applied enthusiasm was handed down to me by my parents and influences how I interact with the world.