Bio
Alexandria Deters (b.1992) is a Bronx, New York-based artist, writer, archivist and fine art appraiser. In 2016 she graduated with her MA in American fine and decorative art from Sotheby’s Institute of Art, NY. She first began her embroidery practice in 2010 at San Francisco State University, where she received her BA in art history and women and gender studies (2015). In 2021 she completed the Comprehensive Appraisal Studies Program (CASP) at the Appraisers Association of America (AAA), NY, and is a recognized Associate Candidate of the AAA. She recently had her first and second solo exhibition: “Prophet of the Month,” The Locker Room, Brooklyn, NY (2022), and “Gonzalez: ‘Yes dear I’m here.’ (A Primary Document, 9/11),” La MaMa Galleria Window, New York, NY. Recent group exhibitions and fairs include: Outsider Art Fair, New York, NY (2023); SPRING/BREAK Art Show, New York, NY (2022, 2021); and “We Are More Than A Moment,” curated by Genevieve Gaignard, MCLA Gallery 51, North Adams, MA (2020).
Artist Statement
My name is Alexandria Deters and I am a queer femme embroidery artist, fine art appraiser, researcher, writer, feminist, activist, and archivist. I believe sex and sexuality is beautiful and should be celebrated, and the things we desire and are interested in have fascinated me from a young age. I consider every human being a 'living archive' a unique individual that has, experiences and stories worth documenting and remembering.
All these elements influence my art and writing practice and personal perspective on the world.
Through the act of embroidery, I am consciously examining and contemplating the history of the people, the history of the product I am embroidering on and, through that, looking at a moment of time in a new way. One of the ways I share the research and information I continuously gather is through embroidering directly onto pages of vintage Life and “girlie” magazines. Resulting in a viewer being forced to analyze the original text and image of whatever I am referencing, or directly embroidering on, in a new way. I am actively researching and sourcing historical events and people in my work that have been ignored, or sidelined, throughout history and society. By doing this I am helping to not only create beautiful artwork, but also educate a viewer and collector. I am not creating something to only look at, I am helping preserve, and hopefully save, history.
