CROCHET COMES HOME Currently based in Los Angeles , Monday returned to campus for a gallery showing of his " monsters " in November 2019 .
work , wondering what might happen if he suddenly skipped a row , or started crocheting in a different direction .
The exploratory approach is similar to his life ’ s progression thus far . After UC San Diego professor Jennifer Pastor encouraged him to join the visual arts program , he took up artist ’ s residencies in places like Iceland , where he dove deep into the study of shamanism and the role of masks and costumes in various cultures , research that is all reflected in his art . Now based out of Los Angeles , he continues to push the limits of what kind of objects and statements can be made from simple pieces of yarn .
“ UC San Diego let me play with unorthodox materials ,” he says , “ but also brought out my conceptual side as an artist .”
At his shows , for instance , Monday often dresses performers in his crochet works , bringing the art to life . The figures take on specific character traits with unique movements and mannerisms . They dance , walk around , and even mingle with attendees . In this way , those who take in his art shows aren ’ t just viewers , they are participants . Monday is fascinated by this kind of interaction with his work — not just giving audiences something to look at , but evoking a response from the viewer and maybe even affecting their outlook .
“ I call them monsters because I see our interaction with them as testing ourselves ,” he says . “ At first , they might seem off-putting , but as you get over that and grow more curious about who they are , how they act , and why , that process may translate to how we acknowledge each other , our fellow humans , and maybe help encourage a better understanding of those who might look or act differently than us in everyday life .”
See Monday ' s monsters come alive at : tritonmag . com / crochet
Monster Gallery
A small sample of characters crocheted by Zac Monday , MFA ’ 10 :
Mystic often serves as a tour guide for Monday ' s gallery exhibitions . “ He spins people around , then leads them to an art piece ,” says Monday . “ He gives people a connection to art and an educational experience .”
Niji translates to “ rainbow ” in Japanese and is intentionally made up of greys and pops of color . “ This to me symbolizes Gayness , but also having bright points and shadowy or even bland points of your personality .”
Zag was inspired by rams that Monday lived near while doing research in Iceland . “ I started creating a lot of horns there to really master the art of crocheting .”
Majo is Japanese for “ witch .” Monday created this “ crying mask ” to allow men to cry and be covered . “ I wanted to make masks for insecurities or to give space for people to process things about themselves .”
Bleedy
Eyes
is Monday ’ s self-portrait , done while at UC San Diego . “ I felt like I was progressing as a craftsman ; I used a lot of red then . It is a reflection of what I was feeling and drawn to .”
Maverick is another portrait — Monday ’ s mother at his sister ’ s wedding . “ She was walking around and making sure everyone felt appreciated , but also nervous because her role in her daughter ’ s life was shifting .”
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