HCCC proudly presents Suited Up: Contemporary Armor Making in Texas. The exhibition, featuring suits of armor inspired by historical re-enactments and iconic pop-culture warriors, explores the extraordinary craftsmanship behind armor making in the Lone Star State. Showcasing everything from traditional metalwork and leatherwork to 3D-printed and innovative do-it-yourself suits, the works on view exemplify the vibrant and diverse spectrum of fantastical armorers in Texas. Their handmade attire, often fashioned from favorite media figures or historical designs, represents an integral component of their practice.

Various communities of fantasy and re-enactment have kept age-old armor-making techniques alive, adding many unique chapters in recent years to the histories of these techniques. San Antonio-based Jessi Arntz’s love of armor making was born after she attended her first convention in high school and was inspired to try making her own cosplay armor. Later, inspired by the leather and metal aesthetics of the sci-fi genre, known as steampunk, Arntz began to embrace leatherworking and now creates custom leather armor full time as JAFantasyArt. Her work combines skilled leather craftsmanship with sophisticated surface-finishing techniques that can mimic a variety of materials, such as bone and scale. 

San Antonio-based Michael Lane began fashioning armor in the 1970s after joining his local chapter of The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), an international community organized around the study and recreation of mainly pre-17^th-century European culture, with an emphasis on live-action, role-play combat scenarios. Initially, Lane found that there was little armor available that could survive armed combat. In response, he began designing battle-ready armor using common materials, ranging from steel cooking bowls that he fashioned into helmets to wire that he used to create chainmail. Many of his sturdy pieces have protected their wearers for decades.

The women behind Nyvedna Productions and Lutavia Cosplay harness their passion for popular film and video-game franchises, such as Black Panther and Overwatch, to create with faithful detail the suits of armor worn by their beloved characters. Self-identified as members of the cosplay community, they synthesize craftsmanship, skill-sharing, and ingenuity to share their love for what they do by encouraging anyone who is interested to break onto the scene by making their own costumes. Their designs incorporate digitally designed and printed fabrics, as well as 3D-printed accessories with beadwork and faux-finishing techniques, demonstrating a visual acuity for bringing their characters to life through their wares.

The exhibition’s co-curators, Kathryn Hall and MarÍa-Elisa Heg, comment, “Although cosplay and re-enactment communities each have histories of engaging with craft, they have often been overlooked within the field. In particular, Texas has a strong representation of makers who carry on historic traditions of craft practice, while merging them with modern motifs and techniques, to create a new language of form and function that is entirely self-defined. The featured artists in this exhibition also wear their creations, giving them a deep understanding of the comfortability and wearability of these pieces. We are excited to recognize this talented group of makers who spark curiosity and wonder by bringing different realms of fantasy into physical form.”

Suited Up: Contemporary Armor Making in Texas is co-curated by HCCC Curator Kathryn Hall and HCCC Curatorial Fellow MarÍa-Elisa Heg.

LEARN

Low-Vision Gallery Guide

Video: Michael Lane and his son suit up in Michael’s armor and engage in combat

Watch more videos featuring San Antonio armorer Michael Lane, as he unpacks different parts of his process of making a set of shoulder armor, known as pauldrons, for armed combat.

Video: Michael cuts the pattern for his pauldrons

Video: Michael demonstrates the articulation of a riveted pauldron by wearing it

Video: Michael shows off his finished piece, including the leather straps and additional plates for the arms

RELATED EVENTS

Facebook Live Event: Craft Chats: Suited Up: “Contemporary Armor Making in Texas” Tour with Kathryn Hall and María-Elisa Heg
Thursday, July 22, 2021, 1:00 – 1:30 PM

In-Person Workshop: Cosplay 101 – Prop Finishing
July 31, 2021, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Facebook Live Event: Craft Chats: Close Looking with Jessi Arntz of JAFantasyArt
August 5, 2021, 1:00 – 1:30 PM

HOH To Go
September 4, 2021, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Image credits:

1. Lutavia Cosplay, “Shieldmaiden Brigitte (from Overwatch),” 2019. PLA 3D prints, faux suede, cotton, faux fur, faux leather, acrylic paint, spray paint, NeoPixel LEDs, acrylic, resin, fiberglass, synthetic-fiber wig. 3D Models commissioned from Obysidiann Props; 3D prints printed by Habiteer Workshop; wig styled by Laura Licata; gems from ElementOfSupply (Etsy). Photo by Jonathan Vilches. Courtesy of artist.
2. Lutavia Cosplay, “Shieldmaiden Brigitte (from Overwatch),” 2019. PLA 3D prints, faux suede, cotton, faux fur, faux leather, acrylic paint, spray paint, NeoPixel LEDs, acrylic, resin, fiberglass, synthetic-fiber wig. 3D Models commissioned from Obysidiann Props; 3D prints printed by Habiteer Workshop; wig styled by Laura Licata; gems from ElementOfSupply (Etsy). Photo by Jonathan Vilches. Courtesy of artist.
3. Lutavia Cosplay, “Shieldmaiden Brigitte (from Overwatch),” 2019. PLA 3D prints, faux suede, cotton, faux fur, faux leather, acrylic paint, spray paint, NeoPixel LEDs, acrylic, resin, fiberglass, synthetic-fiber wig. 3D Models commissioned from Obysidiann Props; 3D prints printed by Habiteer Workshop; wig styled by Laura Licata; gems from ElementOfSupply (Etsy). Photo by Jonathan Vilches. Courtesy of artist.
4. JAFantasyArt, “Copper Dragon Hunter Armor,” 2013-2016. Leather, feathers, suede. Photo by Jessi Santiago (@subtlelifephotography). Courtesy of the artist.
5. Michael Lane, “Full Suit.” Sixteen-gauge steel. Photo courtesy of the artist.
6. Michael Lane, video still of armed combatants in Lane’s armor, 2021. Video by Sydney Clark. Courtesy of artist.
7. Michael Lane and Ben Lee, “SCA Helmet,” 1977. Steel. Photo courtesy of the artist.
8. JAFantasyArt, “Monster Hunter-Inspired Nakarkos Bone Armor,” 2018. Leather, EVA foam, PLA, thermoplastic. Photo by Anthony Garcia (@jojodancerphotos). Courtesy of the artist.
9. JAFantasyArt, “Monster Hunter-Inspired Nakarkos Bone Armor,” 2018. Leather, EVA foam, PLA, thermoplastic. Photo by Anthony Garcia (@jojodancerphotos). Courtesy of the artist.
10. Nyvedna Productions, “Shuri Armor,” 2018. Neck piece: EVA black low-density foam, mini earth magnets, plastic; bodysuit: digitally designed and printed performance stretch fabric and vinyl decals; skirt: hand-stamped upholstery fabric and D-rings; belt buckle: 2 mm EVA foam; arm bands: pleather, stretch fabric, rubber tunes, snap magnet, elastic; gauntlets by RandMaskEnterprises. Photo by Ivan Flores (IG: @iflophoto). Courtesy of artist.
11. Nyvedna Productions, “Shuri Armor,” 2018. Neck piece: EVA black low-density foam, mini earth magnets, plastic; bodysuit: digitally designed and printed performance stretch fabric and vinyl decals; skirt: hand-stamped upholstery fabric and D-rings; belt buckle: 2 mm EVA foam; arm bands: pleather, stretch fabric, rubber tunes, snap magnet, elastic; gauntlets by RandMaskEnterprises. Photo by Ivan Flores (IG: @iflophoto). Courtesy of artist.
12. Nyvedna Productions, “Dora Milaje Armor,” 2018. Bodysuit and leggings:digitally designed and printed fabric; armor: worbla and paint; harness: hand-stitched upholstery pleather; belt: laser-cut wood made in collaboration with Chaos Costumes; arm bracers, calf bracers, and neck armor: felt, silver-leather cording; silver necklace: worbla cones, silver-plated beads; beaded tabard: beading, beading felt, pleather, bronze studs; red and yellow neckpiece: beading, beaded felt, velcro; ankle bracelets: beading, beaded felt, velcro, elastic wrap. Photo by Frank V. Schumacher. Courtesy of artist.