Will Montgomery

The present rise of authoritarianism in the United States brings forth new conceptions of national identity across the political spectrum. As this nation approaches its semiquincentennial, Right to Assemble reflects upon this moment through an intergenerational LGBTQIA+ perspective. This collection of work unpacks, abstracts, and reinterprets the ever-changing Pride flag as an amorphous embodiment of a Queer collective. Fabric assemblages such as quilts and flags materialize the melding of individuals, whether to define a family, community, or nation. The work of What Will Have Been Ours, Quilt Church, and Will Montgomery are brought into conversation at this pivotal moment to examine textile arts as a method for coalition building. These fabrics facilitate a reimagining of Queer American identity while archiving those visions amid systemic erasure.

This exhibition is an invitation for dialogue. Consider what Queer futures might be made possible through collective acts of care, remembrance, and assembly.