AleXe harlem is a fiber artist practicing weaving, spinning, and crocheting. They learned to crochet from their Grandmother as a child and is a third generation crocheter. In their adult life, AleXe has taken skills and stories their Grandmother has passed down and used it to expand their own art practice. Their work reflects themes of Blackness, gender, gayness, and making space for self.

A Black, Mexican-American, non-binary, gender-fluid, Al states that their work provides a “soft space for hard bodies.” They use textile art to create soft spaces for Black and Brown bodies that the world tries to beat into being hard. Radical softness is a weapon. And Al reminds us all to stay soft.

Through their work, Al asks, where are Black people truly allowed to be safe? When are Black people allowed rest? What does a future with Black queer people look like? They chose textiles as the medium, a traditionally soft material, to provide respite when the world can be too much. Al produces textiles to be hung, sculptural work to be touched, and wearables, providing a soft space to land, a deep breath shared with a loved one, and the feeling of popping off a bra at the end of a long day.