Cecilia Bullo, Yvonne Condon, Richard Forrest, Michelle Hall, Vera Klute, Ruth Le Gear, Jane McCormack, David Parnell, Aisling Reina, Katherine Sankey, Suzanne Walsh.
‘Distinct’ was presented by Project Art Centre. An exhibition curated by AlanJames Burns that explores the climate crisis through the perspective of disability. Platforming eleven artists whose practices represent the diverse, intersectional voices of the disability arts community, the exhibition navigated how lived experiences of disability can help inform more sustainable ways of living.
An exhibition preview and performance by Suzanne Walsh took place on the:
7 March 2024, 6.00pm – 8.00pm
‘Distinct’ showcased new and reformulated works by Cecilia Bullo, Yvonne Condon, Richard Forrest, Michelle Hall, Vera Klute, Ruth Le Gear, Jane McCormack, David Parnell, Aisling Reina, Katherine Sankey and Suzanne Walsh. The exhibition coincided with the launch of the inaugural Disrupt Disability Arts Festival.
Curated with accessibility in mind, this exhibition represented extensive research into the intersections of climate change, disability, and art. The climate emergency disproportionately affects people with lived experience of disability in various ways, including lack of accessible climate policy information, vulnerabilities in extreme weather events, and the establishment of ‘sustainable’ ways of living that don’t consider the disability experience – known as eco-ableism.
“People with lived experience of disability are routinely and systematically excluded from climate action projects, policies and discussions. However, people with lived experience of disability have expert skill sets which can be harnessed as catalysts for inclusive climate action, including resilience, resourcefulness, community care and the ability to navigate barriers and obstacles. This knowledge can be used to collectively address the precarious environmental position we all find ourselves in.”
– AlanJames Burns, ‘Distinct’ exhibition curator
‘Distinct’ coincided with the launch of Disrupt Disability Arts Festival, Ireland’s new disability-led and disability-focused arts festival.
Informed by universal design principles, the exhibition’s design, lighting, video and audio elements created a balanced ecosystem; artworks turn on and off in sequence, giving each piece its own space, time and voice. This idea of the ecosystem informs a reflection on the challenges of both disability and the climate emergency, and poses questions around interdependence, unity vs. individuality, and the relationship between time and the body. Visitors experienced the exhibition in its entirety over approximately 25 minutes, with sitting and resting points provided.
The exhibition was accompanied by a hybrid programme of talks, performances and workshops.
Accessibility
Know Before You Go document
Read more about Accessibility at Project Arts Centre
Read a Social Story for visiting Project Arts Centre
Image credit: Ruth Le Gear, detail from ‘Celestial Aquatics’, 2024, video projection and two-channel audio
‘Distinct’ was curated by AlanJames Burns, and coincided with the inaugural Disrupt Disability Arts Festival 2024, supported by a Visual Arts Project Award from The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon, Dublin City Council, Project Arts Centre and RTÉ Supporting the Arts.
