Finn Dobson

Crochet

A large filet crochet banner with decorative border. In the centre of the banner are the words 'trans crip love feels like home'. Below the text is a house with hearts coming out of the chimney, doves either side of it, and a flowered garden. Above the text are two hares jumping towards each other, and more hearts from the chimney. Throughout the work are stars and sparkles.
Home (2025) Filet crochet, cotton crochet thread. W90xH90cm (NFS)
An image of the crochet piece 'Home' against a salmon pink wall, hung at exhibition
Home at Pride and Protest exhibition © The Mill Gallery
An image of the crochet piece 'Home' against a salmon pink wall, hung at exhibition. To the right are 3 smaller art works.
Home at Pride and Protest exhibition © The Mill Gallery

Home (2025) is about the specific types of warmth and joy found in the love extended to me by my trans crip* kin. Inspired by vintage filet crochet patterns and the 8-bit art of the late 20th Century, the work uses traditional techniques to evoke feelings of comfort and nostalgia in the viewer.  This classic technique used in home-making, combined with progressive messaging, seeks to (re)affirm the place of trans and disabled bodies within home and family life, as well as celebrating the kinds of homes we make for ourselves with our chosen family.

*crip is a political and cultural disabled identity that makes use of a reclaimed slur.

A crochet tapestry of yellow writing against a lime green background, with a border of yellow frills. In the upper centre of the tapestry is the word "sorry" in a bubble font, with a face in the "o" made up of two dots for eyes and a dash for a neutrally expressed mouth. Beneath "sorry" is written "that's just my face". The tapestry is being held up by a dowel, with the hand holding it coming into frame on the right hand side.
Mantra for Unmasking (2024) Tapestry & intarsia crochet, cotton and acrylic yarn, wooden dowel. W62 x H41cm. £225
A detail view of the crochet piece 'Mantra for Unmasking'

Mantra for Unmasking (2024) (detail) Tapestry & intarsia crochet, cotton and acrylic yarn, wooden dowel. W62 x H41cm. £225

As a late-diagnosed Autistic, this phrase has been a mantra for me in unmasking and coming to accept my resting face. The bright sweetshop colours of the yarn contrast the neutral face within the first line, emphasising how my expression doesn’t always convey the emotions I am feeling inside.

A crochet banner in black, red and green stripes, with 'Free! Free! Palestine' in white writing. The banner is hung on the back of a person's wheelchair, over their bag. The person in the wheelchair is facing away from the camera. They have brown wavy hair and are wearing ear defenders.
From the River to the Sea (2024) Intarsia crochet, acrylic yarn.
Photo by Rachel O’Leary, used with permission

Finn Dobson

© Finn Dobson 2025

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