Full Breakdown
Daisy Lafarge: Art as a Response to Disability and Pain
2/4/2026, 12:03:15 AM
The Intersection of Art and Disability
Daisy Lafarge, a 34-year-old poet, novelist, and artist, has turned her personal struggles with health into a creative outlet. Following a severe injury and the worsening of her condition due to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Lafarge began creating impressionistic paintings while lying on her living room floor. Unable to sit upright and plagued by brain fog and fatigue, she utilized basic materials to depict her surroundings, including her cat and her boyfriend’s PlayStation controller, alongside more abstract representations of decay and confinement. “Making the paintings was a way of coexisting with pain,” Lafarge explained, emphasizing her desire to transform limitations into artistic expression.
We Contain Multitudes: An Exhibition of Disabled Artists
Lafarge's work will be featured in the exhibition "We Contain Multitudes" at the Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre, which showcases the talents of four artists with disabilities, including Jo Longhurst, Andrew Gannon, and Nnena Kalu, the latter being the first artist with learning disabilities to win the Turner Prize in 2025. Lafarge expressed hope that Kalu's recognition would lead to greater inclusion of disabled artists in the art world. However, she cautioned against naive optimism, questioning whether such recognition translates into tangible improvements in the lives of disabled individuals, who often face significant structural barriers.
Challenges Faced by Disabled Artists
Lafarge highlighted the bureaucratic challenges that disabled individuals encounter, particularly in accessing healthcare and support. She noted her own difficulties in finding a specialist for her condition within the NHS in Scotland and the exhausting processes involved in securing disability payments. “Those processes can be incredibly difficult,” she remarked, reflecting on the emotional toll they take. The welfare cuts implemented by the Labour government were described by Lafarge as a “huge assault” on disability rights, yet she acknowledged some progress in the art community, such as the increasing acceptance of access documents that outline necessary accommodations for disabled artists.
Broader Implications of Disability in Art
Lafarge aims for her work to resonate with a wide audience, regardless of physical ability. She believes that disability should not define an artist's identity or the perception of their work. “One great thing to come out of this show would be for people to say, ‘I wouldn’t have assumed the artist who made that is disabled,’” she stated. Lafarge emphasizes that disability is a universal experience that can affect anyone through age, injury, or illness, and she hopes her art will foster a deeper understanding of this shared human condition.
Official Statements & Responses
Lafarge's reflections on the state of disability rights and representation in the arts underscore the need for systemic change. She advocates for a more inclusive environment where disabled artists can thrive without the burden of societal and bureaucratic obstacles. Her participation in "We Contain Multitudes" serves as a platform to challenge stereotypes and promote a broader dialogue about the intersection of disability and creativity.
Verbatim Quotes
- “View image in fullscreen Daisy Lafarge: ‘Making the paintings was a way of coexisting with pain.” — Daisy Lafarge, Artist
- “I just find it so hard to disentangle from the fact that disabled artists are disabled people.” — Daisy Lafarge, Artist
- “When you’re trying to get support from these institutions, which are punitive in various ways, that can take a lot out of you as well. Those processes can be incredibly difficult.” — Daisy Lafarge, Artist
- “One great thing to come out of this show would be for people to say, ‘I wouldn’t have assumed the artist who made that is disabled’ – because it shouldn’t have to be obvious from the content.” — Daisy Lafarge, Artist
