Disability Arts Online Launches Groundbreaking Exhibition to Highlight Access Issues

Disability Arts Online has inaugurated its new exhibition space, dis_place, with the exhibition titled *I Need to Be More Than a Lesson You Learned*, curated by Nathalie Boobis. This exhibition features the work of nine artists and collectives, showcasing various media that reflect the challenges disabled artists face regarding accessibility in the art world and society at large. Boobis, who previously expressed frustration over the superficiality of diversity and inclusion efforts in the art sector, sees this exhibition as an opportunity to authentically highlight disabled experiences.

The Guardian

The exhibition includes works that poignantly address the barriers disabled artists encounter. For instance, Christine Sun Kim's drawings, such as *Degrees of Deaf Rage*, articulate her frustration with inadequate access, featuring phrases that critique the art world's handling of inclusion. Similarly, Jamila Prowse's film *Exquisite Corpse* explores the interdependence in creative practices, emphasizing the unrealistic expectations placed on artists to meet conventional deadlines. The artist collective Babeworld’s film *Roll for Initiative* uses dice rolling as a metaphor for navigating the complexities of the art world from a neurodivergent perspective, illustrating the emotional and physical toll of fulfilling artistic commissions.

The Guardian

Bella Milroy's contributions include drawings on envelopes from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), which serve as a commentary on the intersection of disability and bureaucracy. Milroy notes that while sharing personal experiences can foster community, it also exposes artists to vulnerability. The envelopes symbolize the dual nature of the benefits system, which is intended to facilitate access but often presents challenges, especially amid ongoing threats to disability benefits.

The Guardian

Boobis emphasizes that the exhibition aims to set a new standard for accessibility in galleries, incorporating features such as “easy read” text, audio descriptions, and British Sign Language interpretation. She hopes this initiative will inspire other galleries to adopt similar practices, sending a clear message about what genuine access and inclusion should entail.

The Guardian

Despite the positive strides, Boobis cautions against viewing the current focus on disability in the art world as merely a trend. She advocates for sustained efforts, including anti-ableism training and support for initiatives combating funding cuts to disability benefits. The exhibition not only seeks to illuminate the barriers disabled artists face but also aims to challenge prevailing narratives of pity, showcasing intimacy and joy within their work.

The Guardian

• “I had a lot of frustration about the performance of diversity, equality and inclusion,” — Nathalie Boobis, Curator

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• “It’s about that excitement of getting a commission, but then actually having to do it as a disabled artist, and how that can become quite a hard task to do when you can barely get out of bed, or brush your teeth,” — Babeworld

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• “We’re hoping it will set a standard for other galleries in terms of the access features they have in their exhibition.” — Nathalie Boobis

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• “I think disability is having a moment in the wider art world in terms of commissioning and exhibition making, but I would hope that isn’t just another performance or trend,” — Nathalie Boobis

The Guardian

This exhibition represents a significant step toward addressing the systemic issues within the art world, advocating for a more inclusive and accessible future for disabled artists.

The Guardian