Think you know Deaf Culture – Think Again!
Deaf artists from across the UK are preparing to exhibit their work at the UK’s first purpose built Deaf Cultural Centre this Thursday as part of the Deaf Arts Network.
Nearly nine months after being set up the ‘Deaf Arts Network’ now has 40 Deaf artists from a variety of countries including England, Wales and the Czech Republic. The project has also generated interest from France, Sweden and the USA.
The Deaf Arts Network has been created to establish partnerships with local and national art galleries, agencies and theatres to help set up innovative new projects and create awareness of Deaf people as artists.
Project coordinator, Lisa Davis, who has a strong arts background having achieved a BA honours degree in Design and studied Master of Arts, is extremely pleased with how things have progressed and is hoping that bringing Deaf artists together will generate real developments and change;
“Barriers faced by the Deaf community are as prevalent in today’s arts sector as much as they have been in past.
“The artists within the network aim to identify, explore and address these barriers through sharing experiences of life after Art College, University and other avenues of creative training. The UK based artists meet at least once every 2 months and the next meeting is scheduled for January.”
Thus far the Deaf Arts Network has been extremely successful, evident in the high levels of interest and the number of artists keen to sign up to the project. The network has also highlighted trends in the development of Deaf artists from across the UK.
“All of the artists in the network have a passion for their work and a real appetite for gaining skills in professional development.
“The Network has a number of ideas for future events to help us reach new audiences. We are already making plans for ‘Creative Hands’, a week long Deaf Arts festival that will take place in April 2008” continued Lisa.
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