DUAS Loop

Lady Kitt is a socially-engaged maker, researcher and drag king. Based in Newcastle, Kitt is also an Artist-in-Residence at Durham University. They join me on Zoom with a huge smile and an easy laugh. Kitt tells me about digital art projects, gender stereotypes, and the role of university in building community. Although Kitt admits that they were “terrified” when the first lockdown was announced, they demonstrate that, with a can-do attitude and a willingness to reach out to others, opportunities create themselves. Faye Saulsbury: So firstly, how do you bring social activism into everything you do? Lady Kitt: The answer to that question is that I don’t ‘bring it in’. It is the starting point for everything. So it’s not a bolt-on, or a bit of seasoning (ha!), it’s the essence of everything. Everything I do is driven by this question: how can art be useful? What are the social and civic functions of art and creativity in this particular circumstance, or in this context, or if we’re tryin