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For the month of February 2024, AlanJames Burns took over the creative reins of the Disability Arts Online (DAO) magazine and their digital content with a series of pieces exploring the intersections of disability, climate change and the arts. The Content Takeover spanned DAO’s magazine and social media platforms.
Through a set of interviews with artists working in the space of art, climate and disability, Alan, with the help of the team at DAO, created content including:
In this episode of the ‘Disability and…’ podcast AlanJames Burns speaks with Prof Julia Watts Belser. Julia, a rabbi, scholar and spiritual teacher who works at the intersections of disability studies, queer feminist Jewish ethics, and environmental justice. She directs Disability and Climate Change: A Public Archive Project.
Alan and Julia first meet in 2023 through Alan’s webinar Art, Disability, Climate Change.
“I also want to show how we, as disabled folks have particular affinities for, or expertise for, responding to climate questions.” – Julia Watts Belser
AlanJames Burns conducted five interviews with five artists: Khairani Barokka, Suzie Cross, Alice Hu Xiaoshu, Celina Muldoon and Ruth Le Gear. These profiles were featured on the DAO Instagram account and explored the participants’ personal experience with disability and how it has informed and influenced their artistic exploration of climate change.
“I’ve faced eco-ableism in the arts, revealing a lack of awareness on the intersection of disability and environmental issues, leading to inaccessible spaces. These experiences fuel my advocacy for inclusivity, motivating me to address eco-ableism through my art.” – from interview with Alice Hu Xiaoshu
In this article AlanJames Burns discusses the convergence of art, disability and climate action. Through reflections on their own practice and that of other notable artists in the field Alan illustrates how art, with its capacity for reimagining and storytelling, is a powerful catalyst for transformative change.
Featured in the article are some of the artists from Distinct, an exhibition curated by Alan and held at the Project Arts Centre earlier this year.
“As we navigate the ongoing climate crisis, art acts as a way to advocate and educate about the many knotty challenges involved in creating a just transition for all people.” – extract from article
Emma Blake Morsi is an award-winning artist and multi-disciplinary producer. She is the Production & Partnerships Manager of Enviral, Non-Exec Director of Rising Arts Agency and former Bristol City Council’s Culture Board member. A prolific visual storyteller, she predominantly works across film, photography, writing, illustration, design, sound and immersive experiences, and has been training as a creative intersectional environmentalist following years in STEM.
In an exchange via voice notes Emma and Alan discussed her art practice in relation to climate change and eco-ablism.
Disability Arts Online (DAO) is a UK-based charitable arts organisation led by disabled people. We serve artists and arts audiences who face disabling barriers and, in doing so, enable social change. DAO occupies a unique global position with our website showcasing disability arts content, artist development programmes, partnership and consultancy work, accessible events and a vibrant community of disabled creatives.
Their mission is to champion disability arts and culture by nurturing creativity, connection and critique. Established in 2004, DAO has a rich history of challenging dominant narratives from a disability-led position in order to support sector change. They recognise that disability is an intersectional experience that can be isolating. Through their work, they create empowering opportunities for marginalised voices to be appreciated and understood. DAO’s work is supported by Arts Council England and Paul Hamlyn Foundation.