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

“They were unapologetically themselves,” says Akeen Kidder, yarn artist speaking about the Black icons he is set to showcase in his art show in Montreal on August 21. Pamela Pagano reports.

By Pamela Pagano

Posted August 17, 2022 11:54 pm.

Last Updated August 18, 2022 12:04 am.

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.”

Yarn work of Beggie Smalls. (Photo Credit: Akeen Kidder, the Yarn Art Guy)

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.

Yarn work of P.K. Subban by Akeen Kidder, the Yarn Art Guy. (Photo Credit: Pamela Pagano)

“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.”