REPLAY: John Thomas Paradiso | Exotic Embroiderings Part 2 [NX012]

It's the school summer holidays and I'm taking a break. So instead of new chats, I'm replaying some of my old favourites! This is a repeat of episode #12.In this episode of NeedleXChange I interview John Thomas Paradiso.John Thomas Paradiso is a Washington-based artist who has been exploring the intimacy of gay culture through needlework for over 30 years.Using hand embroidered quilting techniques, working on surfaces including leather and suede, and using traditional materials like doilies to mask the graphic parts of his subjects, John’s work treads the line between pornography and personal portraiture. His art is unapologetic in its openness and his expressions of the passion of gay love are both sensitive and sensational.In our NeedleXChange we talk about how John’s artistic career has run alongside the timeline of the HIV pandemic, the value in re-appropriating homophobic slurs, and how his art has defined his own queer identity.Timestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:01:38 - How John’s subjects come into being00:04:00 - Why John hand quilts his work00:08:00 - The challenge of entering into quilt shows00:16:00 - How John honours his feminine side and strives for masculinity00:21:00 - Reflecting on his earlier work00:23:00 - John’s definition of success00:25:15 - Favourite Album00:26:55 - Favourite Book00:29:26 - Favourite Film00:33:00 - John’s reflections on working in the care sectorLinks:Website: john-paradiso.comInstagram: john_paradiso_artistIntro music is Let's Go Find The Sun by Sarah the Illstrumentalist via Epidemic Sound. About NeedleXChangeAn artist interview podcast exploring contemporary embroidery and textile art. Hosted by Jamie "Mr X Stitch" Chalmers.Stay Connectedneedl.exchange | Newsletter: bit.ly/NeedleXChangeNewsmrxstitch.com | xstitchmag.com