Ep 6. Identity

In season 9 episode 6 of Craft in America, titled "Identity," viewers are taken on a journey through the world of craft and how it can help individuals understand and express their own identities. Through interviews with artists and craftspeople from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, the episode explores the ways in which craft can be used as a powerful tool for communication and self-expression.

One of the central themes of the episode is the idea that identity is constantly evolving and can be influenced by many different factors, including personal experiences, culture, and history. Viewers are introduced to artists like Koji Tanaka, a Japanese kimono maker who draws on centuries of tradition to create contemporary designs that reflect both his own identity and the changing world around him. Similarly, silversmith Ndidi Ekubia discusses how her Nigerian heritage informs her work, which often incorporates traditional African motifs and techniques in new and surprising ways.

The episode also features interviews with a number of artists who use craft to explore issues related to race, gender, and sexuality. Ceramicist Roberto Lugo, for example, talks about how he incorporates images of hip-hop culture and black history into his work, while also using his art to address issues like police brutality and mass incarceration. Weavers Diedrick Brackens and Consuelo Jimenez Underwood discuss how their fiber art practices allow them to express their identities as queer people of color, and to explore themes related to immigration and border politics.

In addition to showcasing the work of individual artists, "Identity" also explores the broader social and cultural implications of craft. For example, the episode examines the ways in which craft has been used historically to assert and celebrate cultural identities that were suppressed or marginalized by mainstream society. Textile artist Faith Ringgold discusses how her iconic quilts served as a way for black women to tell their own stories and assert their own identities during a time when their voices were largely excluded from the mainstream art world.

Ultimately, "Identity" offers a powerful testament to the unique power of craft to help individuals explore and express their own identities, while also serving as a means for marginalized communities to assert their own cultural voices. Through its interviews with a diverse array of artists and craftspeople, the episode offers a compelling and thought-provoking meditation on the complex interplay between identity, culture, and craft.