‘The Yarn Art Guy’: Montrealer creates yarn art of Black icons

Yarn, a hot glue gun, and passion. Montreal artist, Akeen Kidder, creates masterpieces out of yarn and he’s using his talent to raise funds for a local youth organization by showcasing portraits of Black icons that have influenced him.

“I enjoy the action of creating something,” said Kidder, also known as “The Yarn Art Guy.”

“My first piece was Biggie, Biggie Smalls,” he explained. “I had no faith in myself being able to actually make a proper portrait but when I finished it, I stepped back and I was like, wow, okay, I can do this.”

A building engineer by day – yarn artist by night.

Kidder says he’s always been the creative type, from painting to sculpting, but in 2017 yarn caught his eye at a shop and inspired him.

His first solo art show is happening on Aug. 21. On display, are yarn portraits of Black celebrities that motivated him creatively. From P.K. Subban to Bob Marley, drawing inspiration from his father’s Jamaican roots.

“I think the main thing that they all have that inspired me is they were unapologetically themselves,” said Kidder. “Sometimes being yourself is scary, but if you are yourself and you’re good to people and you’re a genuine person, you could do great things.”

The event, raising funds for DESTA, an organization supporting Black youth in reaching their educational, employability, and entrepreneurial goals.

A place Kidder is thankful for.

“I actually had failed (Calculus 1),” he said. “I did great the second time, so thank you DESTA.”

“Then it led me to a career in engineering,” he added. “I thought it just made sense to give back in any way I could.”

His art – original.

And his message to young artists, to attempt original things.

“You never know what can come from what you don’t know until you try it,” said Kidder. “Who would think, I’m the yarn art guy now.”