Cruising II (2023) by Leo Maher is a multi-dimensional work combining ceramic, glaze, copper oxide, concrete, steel, 3D-printed plastic, and a light fixture. The piece delves into the history and social dynamics of “cruising,” referring to covert sexual encounters in public spaces, primarily among homosexual men. Rooted in the Dutch word kruisen (to cross or intersect), it reflects the transient, subversive nature of these interactions, challenging heteropatriarchal norms while fostering coded community behaviors. Leo Maher (b. 1998, London) is a British designer and researcher based in the Netherlands. A graduate of Design Academy Eindhoven, Maher’s work reinterprets archival research into innovative objects, blending material culture with queer narratives. In 2024, Cruising II was featured in Pioniers in Keramiek at Museum Prinsenhof Delft, linking historical Delftware to contemporary ceramics. With a nomination for the Young Designer Award at the 2022 Dutch Design Awards, Maher continues to explore underrepresented histories through socially and materially provocative designs.
