Difference Between Disability in the Arts and Disability Art

           

In the art world, there are two types of art that describes disability. We see people who have done disability art or participate in disabilities in the arts. Both of these themes help promote awareness for those who are a part of the disabled world. Many artists have gone outside the norm in history to show that there are those out there who are different from the standard person. With the newer generations, we see more and more people engaging in these themes. That being said we need to know the difference between these two themes surrounding art and disabilities.

            The disability in the arts has not always been around. However, it refers to a more active participation or representation of disabled people in the arts rather than the actual context of the work being about disability. Also, art made by a disabled person does not automatically become disability art just because it was a disabled person produced the artwork. The content of the work could be anything the only requirement for it to qualify as disability in the arts is if the person qualifies as disabled.

            There are plenty of artists that fall under this category. We have Chuck Close that uses a powered wheel-chair and easel to complete his art. He is unable to walk or use some of his arm, but he still completes art. Then you have autistic and downs syndrome people who complete artwork to sell. There are so many different types of disabilities, but they all fall under this category.

            The disability art is the opposite of disability in the arts. The following theme can be any art, theatre, fine arts, film, writing, music as long as it takes disability as its theme or whose context relates to disability. The type of grouping does not require the maker to be disabled; however the maker can indeed be disabled. For example, Marc Quinn sculpted Alison Lapper pregnant which is another artist who does not have any arms, and is considered a mouth painter. However, Quinn does not have a disability, but if he did it would still be considered disability art because of the content.

            I have been able to join the disability art community because the majority of my artwork depicts those who have some kind of disability. My brother, who has Down syndrome, has been the main focus for my work. As I continued my work I started using his friends as models for my work as well. For my senior show, I incorporated several mediums to describe my brother and his friends to bring out the beautiful side of those with disabilities. Therefore, my artwork would be considered disability art.