♿Disability and Art Unit 11 – Disability Art and the Art Market

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Disability art encompasses artworks created by artists with disabilities that often explore themes of identity, representation, and lived experiences
• Accessibility in the context of art refers to the design of exhibitions, programs, and spaces that are inclusive and usable by individuals with a wide range of abilities
• Ableism is discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities, which can manifest in the art world through lack of representation and access barriers
• Disability aesthetics challenges traditional notions of beauty and perfection in art, embracing diverse bodies and minds as sources of creative expression
  • Disability aesthetics often subverts ableist assumptions about what constitutes "good" or "valuable" art
• Crip theory is an academic framework that examines disability as a social and political identity, rather than solely a medical condition
• Disability justice is a framework that advocates for the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities, recognizing the intersections of disability with other marginalized identities
• Neurodiversity is a term that recognizes the natural variations in human brain function and cognition, challenging the notion of a "normal" or "typical" mind

Historical Context of Disability Art

• Disability art emerged as a distinct movement in the late 20th century, alongside the disability rights movement and the rise of disability studies as an academic field
• Early examples of disability art often focused on challenging stereotypes and asserting the humanity and agency of people with disabilities
  • Works such as "Self-Portrait" by Chuck Close, who has prosopagnosia, and "The Broken Column" by Frida Kahlo, who lived with chronic pain, were influential in this regard
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 was a landmark legislation in the United States that prohibited discrimination based on disability, including in the realm of public accommodations and access to cultural institutions
• The Disability Arts Movement in the United Kingdom, which began in the 1970s, was instrumental in promoting the work of disabled artists and advocating for their inclusion in the mainstream art world
• Disability art has been influenced by and intersects with other social justice movements, such as the civil rights movement, the women's movement, and the LGBTQ+ rights movement
• The rise of the internet and social media has provided new platforms for disabled artists to share their work and connect with audiences, as well as to organize and advocate for their rights
• In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the need for greater representation and inclusion of disabled artists in the art world, as well as efforts to make art spaces and programs more accessible

Major Artists and Movements

• Riva Lehrer is a disabled artist known for her portraits that challenge traditional notions of beauty and representation, often featuring subjects with visible disabilities
• Park McArthur is an artist whose work explores the politics of disability and access, often using everyday objects and materials to create installations and sculptures
• Christine Sun Kim is a deaf artist who works with sound, performance, and drawing to explore the social and political dimensions of deafness and communication
• Sandie Yi is a disabled artist who creates intricate paper cut works that explore themes of identity, memory, and the body
• The Disability/Arts/NYC (DANT) Taskforce is a coalition of artists, activists, and organizations that advocates for the inclusion and representation of disabled artists in the New York City art scene
• The Disability Arts Online platform is a UK-based website that showcases the work of disabled artists and provides resources and support for the disability arts community
• The Disability Visibility Project is an online community and archive that amplifies the voices and experiences of disabled people, including artists and creatives

Representation and Identity in Disability Art

• Disability art often challenges dominant narratives and stereotypes about disability, such as the idea that disabled people are tragic, helpless, or inspirational
• Many disabled artists use their work to assert their agency, autonomy, and humanity, pushing back against the objectification and medicalization of their bodies and minds
• Disability art can provide a space for disabled people to explore and express their identities, experiences, and perspectives on their own terms
  • For example, the work of artist Sunaura Taylor often explores the intersection of disability, gender, and sexuality, challenging assumptions about disabled bodies and desire
• Representation of disability in art can be a powerful tool for increasing visibility and understanding of the diversity of disabled experiences
  • The "Disabled and Here" stock photo collection, created by disabled activists and artists, provides a range of images of disabled people that challenge stereotypical representations
• Disability art can also highlight the intersections of disability with other marginalized identities, such as race, gender, and class
  • The work of artist Sins Invalid, a disability justice performance project, explores the connections between disability, queerness, and race
• Some disabled artists use their work to critique and subvert ableist assumptions and expectations, such as the pressure to "overcome" or "cure" disability
  • The "Cripple Punk" movement, for example, embraces disability as a source of pride and resistance, rejecting the idea that disabled people need to conform to able-bodied norms

Accessibility and Inclusive Art Practices

• Accessibility in the art world encompasses a range of practices and considerations, from the physical design of spaces to the provision of accommodations and support for disabled artists and audiences
• Many art museums and galleries have taken steps to improve accessibility in recent years, such as providing wheelchair ramps, audio descriptions, and sign language interpretation
  • The Guggenheim Museum in New York City, for example, offers verbal description and touch tours for blind and low-vision visitors
• Inclusive art practices also involve considering the accessibility of the art-making process itself, such as providing adaptive tools and equipment for disabled artists
  • The Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia offers a range of accommodations for disabled art students, including adjustable easels and specialized lighting
• Accessibility in the digital realm is also an important consideration, as more and more art is being created and shared online
  • The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide standards for making websites and digital content accessible to people with a range of disabilities
• Inclusive art practices also involve actively seeking out and supporting the work of disabled artists, rather than just making accommodations for them
  • The Disability Arts International platform, for example, showcases the work of disabled artists from around the world and provides resources for curators and programmers looking to include more disability art in their exhibitions and events
• Accessibility and inclusion in the art world also require a shift in attitudes and assumptions about disability, recognizing it as a valuable source of creativity and innovation rather than a limitation or deficit

The Art Market and Disability Art

• The art market has historically been inaccessible and exclusive to many disabled artists, who may face barriers to education, training, and professional opportunities
• Disabled artists may also face discrimination and bias in the art world, with their work being undervalued or dismissed because of assumptions about their abilities and potential
• However, in recent years, there has been growing recognition of the value and importance of disability art, with some disabled artists achieving mainstream success and recognition
  • For example, the work of blind photographer Pete Eckert has been featured in major exhibitions and publications, challenging assumptions about what blind people can do
• Some art institutions and organizations have also taken steps to support and promote the work of disabled artists, such as through targeted funding and exhibition opportunities
  • The Canada Council for the Arts, for example, offers a dedicated grant program for deaf and disability arts
• The rise of online platforms and social media has also provided new opportunities for disabled artists to showcase and sell their work, bypassing traditional gatekeepers and barriers
  • The ArtLifting platform, for example, helps homeless and disabled artists to sell their work online and in corporate settings
• However, there is still much work to be done to make the art market truly accessible and inclusive for disabled artists, including addressing systemic barriers and biases
  • This may involve initiatives such as increasing representation of disabled people in leadership positions in the art world, providing more accessible education and training opportunities, and challenging ableist assumptions about the value and potential of disability art

Critical Analysis and Interpretation

• Critical analysis of disability art involves examining the ways in which the work engages with and challenges dominant narratives and assumptions about disability
• This may involve considering the artist's own experiences and perspectives as a disabled person, as well as the broader social, political, and cultural contexts in which the work is created and received
• Interpretation of disability art may also involve considering the ways in which the work subverts or plays with traditional artistic forms and conventions
  • For example, the work of deaf artist Christine Sun Kim often incorporates elements of sign language and visual notation, challenging the primacy of spoken language in art and communication
• Critical analysis may also involve examining the ways in which disability art intersects with and informs other fields and disciplines, such as disability studies, sociology, and anthropology
  • The work of artist and scholar Tobin Siebers, for example, has been influential in developing the field of disability aesthetics, which examines the ways in which disability shapes and is shaped by artistic representation
• Interpretation of disability art may also involve considering the ways in which the work challenges and expands traditional notions of beauty, value, and meaning in art
  • The work of artist and activist Sunaura Taylor, for example, often incorporates elements of the natural world and everyday objects, challenging the idea that art must be rarefied or separate from daily life
• Critical analysis of disability art may also involve examining the ways in which the work engages with and challenges power structures and inequalities within the art world and society more broadly
  • The work of the Disability Arts Movement, for example, has been instrumental in advocating for the rights and inclusion of disabled artists, as well as challenging ableist assumptions and practices within the art world

Impact and Future Directions

• Disability art has had a significant impact on the way that disability is represented and understood in contemporary culture
• By challenging stereotypes and asserting the agency and humanity of disabled people, disability art has helped to shift attitudes and perceptions about disability
  • The work of artists such as Frida Kahlo and Chuck Close, for example, has been influential in challenging the idea that disability is a tragedy or a limitation
• Disability art has also played a role in advocating for the rights and inclusion of disabled people in society more broadly
  • The Disability Arts Movement, for example, has been instrumental in campaigning for accessible public spaces and transportation, as well as for the inclusion of disabled people in education and employment
• The impact of disability art can also be seen in the increasing visibility and representation of disabled people in mainstream media and culture
  • The success of disabled actors such as RJ Mitte and Liz Carr, for example, has helped to challenge assumptions about what disabled people can do and achieve
• Looking to the future, there is still much work to be done to fully realize the potential of disability art and to create a truly inclusive and accessible art world
• This may involve initiatives such as increasing funding and support for disabled artists, providing more accessible education and training opportunities, and challenging ableist assumptions and practices within the art world
  • The Disability Arts International platform, for example, is working to create a global network of disabled artists and advocates, as well as to provide resources and support for the development of disability arts practices and policies
• It may also involve exploring new forms and technologies for creating and sharing disability art, such as virtual and augmented reality, 3D printing, and other digital tools
  • The work of artist Liz Crow, for example, has explored the use of virtual reality to create immersive experiences that challenge assumptions about disability and embodiment
• Ultimately, the future of disability art will depend on the ongoing efforts of disabled artists, activists, and allies to challenge barriers, assert their voices and visions, and create a more just and equitable world for all