♿Disability and Art Unit 5 – Disability Identity in Art

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Disability identity refers to an individual's sense of self and belonging within the disability community, shaped by personal experiences, societal attitudes, and cultural representations
• Disability art encompasses creative works produced by artists with disabilities that often challenge stereotypes, assert agency, and explore the lived experience of disability
• Ableism involves discrimination, prejudice, or oppression against individuals with disabilities, often based on assumptions of inferiority or lack of capability
  • Internalized ableism occurs when individuals with disabilities absorb and believe negative societal messages about their own worth and abilities
• Disability aesthetics refers to the unique artistic techniques, styles, and perspectives employed by artists with disabilities to convey their experiences and challenge conventional notions of beauty and normality
• Crip theory is an academic framework that examines disability as a social and political identity, challenging the medical model of disability and advocating for the empowerment and inclusion of individuals with disabilities
• Intersectionality acknowledges the complex interplay of multiple marginalized identities (disability, race, gender, sexuality) and how they shape an individual's experiences and oppression
• Accessibility in art ensures that creative works and spaces are designed to be inclusive and usable by individuals with diverse abilities and needs (audio descriptions, tactile exhibits, sign language interpretation)

Historical Context of Disability in Art

• Representations of disability in art have evolved throughout history, reflecting societal attitudes and beliefs about individuals with disabilities
• In ancient and medieval times, disability was often depicted as a divine punishment, moral failing, or object of fascination and fear (ancient Greek vases, medieval religious iconography)
• The Renaissance saw a shift towards more naturalistic representations of disability, though often still associated with negative stereotypes or as a metaphor for inner turmoil (Velázquez's portraits of court dwarfs, Bruegel's depictions of beggars)
• The 19th and early 20th centuries witnessed the rise of freak shows and the medicalization of disability, with art reflecting voyeuristic curiosity and the objectification of disabled bodies (Toulouse-Lautrec's circus performers, Diane Arbus's photographs)
• The disability rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s sparked a new era of disability pride and self-representation in art, challenging prevailing narratives and asserting the agency of disabled artists
  • This period saw the emergence of disability-led arts organizations and festivals, such as the National Theatre of the Deaf and the VSA Arts
• Contemporary disability art continues to evolve, embracing a wide range of media, styles, and perspectives that celebrate disability identity and advocate for social change

Representations of Disability in Visual Culture

• Mainstream media and popular culture have historically perpetuated stereotypical and often harmful representations of disability
• Common tropes include the "inspirational" disabled person who overcomes adversity, the helpless victim in need of pity or charity, and the villainous or monstrous disabled character (Tiny Tim in Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," the disfigured Bond villains)
• These representations often reduce individuals with disabilities to their impairments, denying them agency, complexity, and humanity
• Disability is frequently used as a metaphor for inner weakness, moral failing, or social deviance, reinforcing negative attitudes and stigma (Mr. Hyde in Stevenson's "Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde")
• The lack of authentic representation and inclusion of disabled actors and artists in mainstream media perpetuates the marginalization and invisibility of the disability community
• Recent efforts by disability activists and allies have pushed for more diverse, nuanced, and empowering representations of disability in visual culture (RJ Mitte in "Breaking Bad," Lauren Ridloff in "Eternals")
  • This includes advocating for the casting of disabled actors in disabled roles and the inclusion of disabled writers, directors, and producers in the creative process

Disability Artists and Their Work

• Disability artists use their creative practices to express their identities, challenge stereotypes, and advocate for social change
• Frida Kahlo, a Mexican artist with chronic pain and mobility impairments, created self-portraits that boldly confronted her experiences of disability, gender, and politics (The Broken Column)
• Chuck Close, an American artist with prosopagnosia (face blindness) and later paralysis, is known for his large-scale photorealistic portraits that explore perception and identity
• Riva Lehrer, a disabled artist and writer, creates portraits of individuals with disabilities that challenge conventional notions of beauty and celebrate the diversity of the human body
• Alice Sheppard, a disabled dancer and choreographer, founded Kinetic Light, a performance ensemble that creates works at the intersection of disability, dance, and technology
• Park McArthur, an American artist with muscular dystrophy, creates installations and sculptures that examine the social and political dimensions of disability and accessibility
• Christine Sun Kim, a deaf artist, explores the relationship between sound, silence, and language through drawings, performances, and installations
• These artists, among many others, contribute to the rich tapestry of disability art, asserting the value and vitality of disabled creative expression

Disability Aesthetics and Artistic Techniques

• Disability aesthetics refers to the unique artistic techniques, styles, and perspectives employed by artists with disabilities to convey their experiences and challenge conventional notions of beauty and normality
• Artists with disabilities often subvert traditional artistic techniques and materials to accommodate their physical abilities and express their lived experiences
  • For example, mouth and foot painters adapt to their unique motor skills to create intricate works of art
• Disability art frequently incorporates assistive devices, medical equipment, and accessible technologies as integral elements of the artistic process and final work (Park McArthur's sculptures made from mobility aids)
• The use of fragmentation, distortion, and unconventional perspectives in disability art can reflect the artists' experiences of bodily difference and challenge viewer expectations (Frida Kahlo's fractured self-portraits)
• Disability aesthetics often celebrate the beauty and complexity of non-normative bodies, challenging societal standards of perfection and normalcy (Riva Lehrer's portraits)
• Performance art and dance by disabled artists can redefine notions of movement, expression, and virtuosity, showcasing the creativity and adaptability of disabled bodies (Alice Sheppard's choreography)
• By embracing and foregrounding disability aesthetics, artists assert the value and validity of their unique perspectives and experiences, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression

Identity Politics and Disability Art Movements

• Identity politics refers to the ways in which individuals' social and political identities (disability, race, gender, sexuality) shape their experiences, perspectives, and activism
• The disability rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s, influenced by the civil rights and feminist movements, fought for the recognition of disability as a social and political identity deserving of equal rights and inclusion
  • This period saw the rise of disability pride, self-advocacy, and the rejection of the medical model of disability in favor of a social model that emphasizes societal barriers and oppression
• Disability arts movements emerged as a way for artists with disabilities to assert their agency, challenge stereotypes, and create a sense of community and solidarity
• The National Theatre of the Deaf, founded in 1967, was one of the first professional theater companies to showcase the talents of deaf actors and promote deaf culture
• The disability arts movement in the UK, which gained momentum in the 1980s and 1990s, fostered the development of disability-led arts organizations, festivals, and networks (DaDaFest, Shape Arts)
• In the US, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 provided legal protections against discrimination and mandated accessibility in public spaces, including cultural institutions
• The Disability Visibility Project, founded by Alice Wong in 2014, is an online community dedicated to amplifying the voices and experiences of individuals with disabilities through storytelling and media
• These movements and initiatives have helped to foster a sense of pride, community, and empowerment among disabled artists and activists, while also challenging societal barriers and advocating for greater inclusion and accessibility in the arts

Critical Analysis of Disability Representation

• Critical analysis of disability representation involves examining how disability is portrayed in art, media, and culture, and the impact of these representations on societal attitudes and the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities
• Scholars and activists in disability studies, such as Rosemarie Garland-Thomson and Lennard Davis, have developed frameworks for analyzing disability representation, drawing on concepts from feminist, queer, and critical race theory
• The medical model of disability, which frames disability as an individual pathology to be cured or overcome, has historically dominated representations of disability in art and media
  • This model often perpetuates stereotypes of disability as tragedy, helplessness, or inspiration, denying the agency and complexity of disabled individuals
• The social model of disability, in contrast, emphasizes the role of societal barriers and attitudes in creating disability and advocates for systemic change and inclusion
  • This model has informed the development of disability aesthetics and the disability arts movement, which seek to challenge negative stereotypes and assert the value and diversity of disabled experiences
• Critical analysis also examines the intersectionality of disability with other marginalized identities, such as race, gender, and sexuality, and how these intersections shape representations and experiences of disability
• The lack of authentic representation and inclusion of disabled artists and actors in mainstream media is a key concern, as it perpetuates the marginalization and invisibility of the disability community
• Scholars and activists advocate for greater diversity and nuance in disability representation, emphasizing the importance of disabled-led narratives, the casting of disabled actors in disabled roles, and the inclusion of disabled perspectives in the creative process
• By critically examining disability representation, we can work towards dismantling ableist attitudes, promoting empowering and authentic narratives, and creating a more inclusive and equitable society

Impact and Future Directions

• Disability art and the disability arts movement have had a significant impact on the visibility, empowerment, and inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the arts and society at large
• Disabled artists have challenged stereotypes, asserted their agency and creativity, and pushed the boundaries of artistic expression, contributing to a more diverse and inclusive cultural landscape
• The development of disability aesthetics has expanded the possibilities of artistic techniques and perspectives, challenging conventional notions of beauty, normality, and virtuosity
• Disability-led arts organizations, festivals, and networks have provided platforms for disabled artists to showcase their work, build community, and advocate for social change (DaDaFest, Shape Arts, Kinetic Light)
• The inclusion of disability in art education and art therapy has fostered greater understanding, empathy, and self-expression among individuals with and without disabilities
• Accessible technologies and design practices have made art more inclusive and participatory, enabling individuals with diverse abilities to engage with and create art (audio descriptions, tactile exhibits, assistive devices)
• Despite these advances, there is still much work to be done to achieve full inclusion, representation, and equity for individuals with disabilities in the arts and society
• Ongoing challenges include the lack of funding and resources for disability arts organizations, the underrepresentation of disabled artists in mainstream institutions and media, and the persistence of ableist attitudes and barriers
• Future directions for disability art and activism include advocating for greater diversity and inclusion in arts education, institutions, and funding; developing more accessible and inclusive technologies and design practices; and fostering cross-disability and intersectional solidarity and collaboration
• By continuing to create, innovate, and advocate, disabled artists and their allies can work towards a future in which disability is celebrated as a vital part of human diversity, and in which all individuals have equal access to and representation in the arts and society