I have long been curious about why artists labelled with intellectual disabilities aren’t better represented in Disability Arts spaces (let alone the artworld at large).
This past spring I spoke with a number of people about some of the dynamics that create and shape the distance between some groups of disabled people and with some artists labelled with intellectual disabilities about their experiences, frustrations, dreams, and desires.
It’s a complex conversation, and one that I want to keep having.
I had the honour of publishing an article on this subject in the summer issue of BlackFlash magazine, A Temporary, Collectively-Held Space guest-edited by Carmen Papalia. Regrettably, a plain language version is not yet available, but we’re working on it.
Sincere thanks to Carmen Papalia, Maxine Proctor, the BlackFlash team and all those who spoke with me at all stages of this writing, including Eliza Chandler, Emily Cook, Rachel Gray, Tara Grude, Jessie Huggett, Sean Lee, Stephanie Nadeau, Debbie Ratcliffe, Elizabeth Sweeney, Alain Shain, and Shara Weaver.