ULTRALIGHT
Exhibition run May 5-25, 2017
ULTRALIGHT is an exhibition of artwork about disability, created by artists living with disabilities. VAE is offering a platform for artists who identify as living with disabilities to take back the narrative that is so often controlled by the medical field, media, and stereotypes. ULTRALIGHT seeks to exhibit work that challenges the viewing public to leave their preconceived notions and sympathy at the door, and experience artwork that tells the real story of living disabilities and the current state of access. The exhibition breaks access into three parts: physical, communication, and attitude.
Works and Artists
Theresa Devine Till Disability Do Us Part
Ken Morgan New York School, Snake Charmer
Eduardo Lapetina Searching for the music in us
Brian Markuson Bees, My lips are sealed
David Adelman Elegy, Ability, and Glitch
Jeff Newell Entering the World, A Bird in the Hand
Shelby Scattergood Blind Faith
Anthony Garcia-Copian Witches of Depression
Cary Brief Cat and mouse
Jean Shortall POLIO INDUCED INSOMNIA
King N. Godwin Me and my family are together “71”, Hawaii is cool because there are starfish in the ocean
Mitchell Price Pirate Baseball
Evan Webster Future, No One Is Perfect
Luis Rosario Central Park
Jessica Baisey Incomplete
Darryl Johnson The Goddess Comforts the Blind
Wiley Johnson Darnkness Streams
David Chadderton Mystical Infusion
Sherry Spencer Out of the Woods, Speak to Me
Awards
- 1st - Theresa Devine In Sickness And In Health
- 2nd - Shelby Scattergood Popcorn
- 3rd - Eduardo Lapetina Where the intangible hovers
- Honorable Mention - Rea Rossi Cilia
- Honorable Mention - Heather Youngblood In my head.
Project Seed Grants Awardees
Darryl Johnson -
Part One. “Beautifully Disabled”
In this piece I challenge traditional concepts of feminine beauty. For example is a disabled woman considered beautiful? I know the question can be considered “offensive”, but I believe it is valid. After all, when was the last time a beauty care or clothe advertisement featured a disabled woman. This piece will feature a beautiful disabled woman.
Part Two. “Divine Suffering”
Typically when society sees someone with a physical disability we think of how much pain or suffering that individual must endure. Usually the topic ends there. I believe some types of pain have a nobler purpose. Christians see the suffering of Christ on the cross as being divinely inspired. Christians have taken the crucifixion, which was a common instrument of capital punishment at the time, and elevated it to a greater purpose that they believe was divinely inspired. I believe that the suffering that I must endure as a disabled person is divinely inspired. Perhaps my very practiced ability to bear some of my limitations teaches others humility or compassion. Maybe they become inspired and think "Me too- but the grace of God." Thus my disability becomes something greater. It is transfixed to that of noble teacher.
Part Three. “The Goddess Comforts the Blind”
Social isolation and evil mockery are some of the hardest things my wife and I endure because of my disability. No matter where we go, naturally some places are better than others, when we are together we always hear, sometimes in a whisper other times in a shout "why oh why is she with him." Is she pretty but "stupid". Perhaps she "feels sorry for him because he's so low." Oh this whole thing must be some type of fraud. "Everyone knows that the pretty don't marry the blind."
Cary Brief- Life Under the Sea
Hand painted wood 3D cutouts exploring Life under and around the sea and humans' affect on it. Octopus, starfish, crabs and fish coral etc. They are large colorful, hand painted fun images that have multi layers and lots of depth coated in an epoxy for an intensifying effect. "I started this project in 2016 but due to disability and a move I haven't been able to work on it as much as I'd like to." The funds will be used for materials so I can finish the project.