Boyfriend Material, 2020

This work exists in tandem with my research into Andy Warhol’s practice within the context of autism, fan art, and outsider art. Boyfriend Material emulates the style of Warhol, but instead of being all clean and automated, I spent about two weeks turning an old bedsheet, embroidery thread, and left over acrylic paint from my childhood into this Harry Styles body pillow. During this time in my practice - much like a lot of fan-made works - Harry Styles acts a vessel through which to explore desires. In this depiction, he is my soft boyfriend to cuddle up to at night. The title also references a running joke about boyfriends in my practice. I’m aromantic, yet I keep getting various boyfriends in my life; perhaps Harry is another of the many-gendered non-romantic boyfriends of my heart.