Artist
Robert Chamberlain

Project Title
Matelotage

Grant Amount
$4,985
Susan Antinori Visual Artist Grant

Website
www.robertchamberlin.com

Matelotage, defined by Wikipedia, “was an agreement amongst pairs of European sailors, in particular buccaneers, in the 17th and early 18th century. As part of this economic partnership, "matelots" would agree to share their incomes, and inherit their partner's property in the case of their death. In addition, they would pledge to protect and fight alongside each other in battle and otherwise act in the other's interest.” Many historians have remarked on Matelotage as civil unions or same sex marriages. Robert Chamberlin’s project in its most ideal form is an installation of a Queer Pirate Captains quarters pulling details from real pirates like Stede Bonnet, who spent his inheritance on a pirate ship and brought his entire library on board.  The installation will be constructed to mimic the way the Temple of Dendur is shown in the Metropolitan Museum.  Leading up to the reconstructed captains quarters would be other found historical items, held in display cases highlighted by text to explain their use and context.  The very special seat a peg boy was sat upon to keep him ready for the crew and other examples and artifacts showing just how gay pirates may have been.