Kudzu is an infamous so- called invasive species throughout the American South that can be seen draping over trees on roadsides or blanketing entire hillsides with its ever winding and complex vine networks. Captivated by its remarkable resilience, its ability to transform a landscape, and its versatility, Kudzu became the metaphor for which I explored the expression of my queer identity. By using Kudzu as a symbol for queerness, this body of work presents the parallel treatment of queer people and invasive species in this country.
Similar to Kudzu, queerness is viewed as invasive and unnatural by political and religious groups. The term “queer” is not confined to either sexuality or gender, but rather is inclusive of all identities that do not follow cisgender heteronormativity. Queerness is not just a term to describe both sexuality and gender, but also to describe a praxis.
I present the many versions of the plant by using both the whole vines and the processed fibers so that it, like queerness, is not viewed in a confined form. This body of work includes various forms of Kudzu weavings that showcase the multitude of queerness. Whether the Kudzu weavings are enveloping the rigid steel forms representative of spaces that felt and still feel unsafe to be queer in, or cascading in a network of fishnets that are worn on my body, I want my work to take up space the way Kudzu does and the way queerness should.
The Story Behind The Vine
Known for its continuous growth, Kudzu thrives in the American South. Kudzu is found in parts of Asia such as China, Japan, India and Taiwan. Representatives from Japan brought the vine to the United States for the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876 then presented it again at the New Orleans Exposition in 1883. Not only is it medicinal, edible, used to make paper and fibers, Kudzu also restores nitrogen to the soil and controls erosion.
In the American South, people embraced the plant into local culture. Channing Cope, a farmer from Georgia, founded the Kudzu Club of America in 1943 where other Kudzu lovers could connect. Some Kudzu advocates even changed their names to having “Kudzu” be a part of it, such as “Kudzu Jones.” Kudzu saved the South from soil degradation and restored people’s hope in the land. Kudzu became a global entity with cultural significance in both Japan and the American South.
By 1970, the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) labeled Kudzu as a common weed. The plant’s benefits and historical uses became less known and it is seen as a nuisance to American landscapes. Kudzu defies American standards of plant growth and its resilience is incomparable to that of other plants. By uplifting the capabilities of Kudzu, it can be used for its benefits to create a more sustainable future.