Disability Arts History Australia

Items

• "Interview with Michael Noble"
  Michael Noble is a professional dancer and performer and has been with Restless Dance Theatre since 2015. Interview Summary Michael Noble is an ex-foster kid turned contemporary dancer at Restless Dance Theatre, who started in arts as an outlet for expression. His dance style has evolved from literal interpretations to more abstract movements, as Restless has supported his growth and mental health needs. Being in a company that accommodates artists with disabilities has led Michael to explore his own neurodivergence, specifically relating to being on the autism spectrum. He believes art, including the political, is less about the message itself and more about being the messenger for another's vision or interpreting and sharing one's own perspectives.
• "Interview with Michelle Ryan"
  Michelle Ryan is the artistic director of Restless Dance Theatre and has extensive experience as a dancer and performer. Interview Summary Michelle Ryan, the artistic director of Restless Dance Theatre, shares her journey from being a successful dancer diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at 30 to becoming an advocate for artists with disabilities. Despite her initial hesitations to perform with her disability, a positive experience dancing with a European company reignited her passion and led her to Restless Dance Theatre, where she aims to change perceptions of who can create art. Michelle emphasizes the importance of providing professional opportunities and proper compensation for disabled artists, challenging the notion that disability work is charity or hobbyist. She advocates for representation that is genuine and not tokenistic, ensuring the inclusion of people with disabilities is meaningful and respectful.
• "Interview with Peter Vance"
  Peter Vance is a singer, songwriter, musician, performer, facilitator and disability arts advocate. Interview Summary: Peter Vance is a songwriter, performer, musician and singer. Peter suggested disability arts in the last 20 years has become more visible and popular reflecting a positive shift in how society views disability as part of the rich tapestry of human experience. This is reflected in how the arts now tell the stories of individuals with disabilities, not simply as artists with a disability, but as whole people whose varied experiences - visible and invisible - inform and enrich their creative expression. However, there are still challenges with funding and accessibility and ongoing struggles for recognition and support of disability art. Changes in how organisations operate to suit new funding such as the NDIS have potentially limited the spontaneity and personal touch that smaller, community-driven organizations once offered. Peter said it is essential to continue to push for better understanding, support, and visibility for people with all kinds of disabilities in every aspect of life, including the arts, to truly embrace inclusivity.
• "Interview with Jeff Usher"
  Jeff Usher is a jazz and blues composer, arranger, pianist, vocalist, teacher, lecturer, and music consultant. Interview Summary Jeff Usher is a visually impaired Australian jazz musician with a rich history of playing music since childhood, influenced by a significant early encounter with the Jazz Action Society and key individuals like his high school music teacher Kathleen Kerr and his supportive family. Throughout his career, he has worked with a diverse range of musicians across many genres, including country, rock, and church music, and has expanded his repertoire to include political and spiritual themes, often infused with his synaesthetic experience of colour. Despite a broad professional experience, his engagement with the disability arts space developed over time, particularly through collaboration with other disabled artists, and he values working with good artists regardless of their backgrounds or disabilities. He is deeply committed to his craft, finding a balance between the aesthetic quality of his work and the joy it brings, both to himself and his audiences.
• "Interview with Digby Webster"
  Digby Webster is a visual artist working with the mediums of oil pastels and acrylics and is also a performer, designer and co-founding member of past performance ensemble Ruckus Ensemble. Interview Summary Digby Webster is an artist with a wide range of creative talents, including theater, dance, animation, and mural painting. He has worked on various projects, including an animated short film called "Blockhead and Sparklehorse," and has had his artwork displayed in places like the Sydney Olympic Park and Vivid Sydney. Digby does not define himself by his disability and takes pride in the various creative endeavors he's involved in, aiming to have his art reach people in meaningful ways outside traditional galleries. In the future, he is interested in exploring fashion, designing artwork for clothing, and he hopes to see more people wearing his art.
• "Interview with Jeremy Smith"
  Jeremy Smith is a Senior Producer in Western Australia at Performing Lines, has a long career across community, experimental and performing arts, is a disability advocate and previously worked in Australia Council for the Arts (now Creative Australia) as Director – Community Arts and Experimental Arts. Interview Summary Jeremy Smith has vast experience in the arts including working as a director with Australia Council (Creative Australia). Jeremy is currently an arts worker in the performing arts sector. While Jeremy lives with Achondroplasia, he has not always identified as disabled however a transformative project for the 2016 Perth Festival led him to embrace his identity as a disabled person with pride recognising the complexities surrounding personal identification with disability. Jeremy talks about artists and organisations he finds inspirational who are leading change in the disability arts sector and his motivation to also advocate for inclusion and the evolution of public perception of disability arts work.
• "Interview with Jenny Simpson"
  Jenny is CEO and Artistic Director of AWESOME Arts Australia while also a Musical Director of the Mighty Camelot Community Choir and a Sessional Academic at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts at Edith Cowan University. Interview Summary Jenny Simpson is the CEO and Artistic Director of AWESOME Arts Australia. She grew up in a musical family and always had an interest in the arts. After working in the corporate world, she decided to pursue a role in the arts to make a difference in the community. She has since focused on engaging young people with disabilities in the arts, and has worked on projects and festivals that promote inclusivity and accessibility. She believes that the perception of disability arts is changing and hopes to see more individuals with disabilities involved in arts management.
• "Interview with Matthew Shilcock"
  Matthew Shilcock is a stage and film performer, dancer, director, choreographer, producer, project planner, manager, consultant and disability advocate. Interview Summary Matthew Shilcock, a contemporary dancer, lives with osteogenesis imperfecta, a condition that led him to discover dance as an affordable alternative to physiotherapy. His 12-year dance career has been shaped by working with both disabled and non-disabled artists, including elite companies and individual dancers, where he found a passion for the unique problem-solving and rewarding experiences that come with working with disabled dancers. As he transitions from performer to dance maker, Matthew's motivation has shifted from personal excitement and self-discovery to a focus on the next generation, aiming to pass on his unique experiences and methodologies. He acknowledges that while being on stage as a disabled artist can be inherently political, he values his authenticity and the impact of his work over the perceptions and labels placed upon disability in the arts.
• "Interview with Tim McCallum"
  Tim McCallum is a singer, performer and speaker and disability advocate. Interview Summary Tim McCallum is a performer who specializes in singing and acting, with singing being his foremost talent. Having sustained a spinal cord injury resulting in quadriplegia before beginning his studies at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Tim's childhood passion for the performing arts has continued to motivate his career. Through his experiences, both positive and negative, regarding inclusion and discrimination in the arts, Tim has become determined to challenge preconceived notions and make disability a visible and celebrated aspect of performance. He is a strong advocate for the representation of artists with disabilities in leadership roles within arts governance, stressing the importance of lived expertise over tokenism for lasting change in the industry.
• "Interview with Michele Saint-Yves"
  Michèle Saint-Yves is a playwright, filmmaker, poet, and director. Interview Summary Michèle Saint-Yves’ background includes a colonial upbringing in Pacific territories, a Scottish boarding school education, and a complex personal journey of confronting her own inherent racism and colonial legacy, particularly through her writing. Her work as an artist with disability is deeply informed by her sense of otherness and focuses on creating inclusive performance-based work that challenges mainstream audiences and systems, aiming for transformative experiences that impact disability justice and community. Michèle actively embraced the social model of disability, which shifted her understanding of herself and her art, and has received recognition for her pioneering work with the prize-winning show "Clock for No Time." However, recognising the social model’s limitations, her current creative endeavours are concerned with 'access intimacy' and evaluating the lasting impact of her performances, in collaboration with other artists and through research grants.
• "Interview with Andy Jackson"
  Andy Jackson is a published poet focusing on disability and difference, has completed a PhD and is a lecturer of poetry and creative writing. INTERVIEW SUMMARY This is an oral history interview with poet Andy Jackson. Andy, who has Marfan syndrome, discusses how disability and visible difference have shaped his writing and poetry, explaining that he often writes about the meaning of the body within society. He emphasizes the importance of Disability Arts, noting a growing community of disabled writers and expressing the need for both disability-specific literary spaces and mainstream recognition. Andy also highlights the transformative role of online communities in creating networks for disabled individuals and the emergence of disability-focused literary journals, anticipating an anthology from a collaborative writing project he is involved with.
• "Interview with Jeremy Hawkes"
  Jeremy Hawkes is a multidisciplinary artist working in sculpture, drawing, painting and photography as well as being a writer, educator and disability arts leader. Interview Summary Jeremy Hawkes, a visual artist, opened up about his life and identity during his interview. After a debilitating workplace accident, he had to reimagine his sculptural practice due to his acquired disability and ventured into drawing, which helped him cope with multiple operations and diagnoses. Jeremy's art explores themes of identity and the interconnectedness between the macro and the micro, drawing inspiration from neurobiology and medical imagery. Despite his struggles, Jeremy commits to his studio daily, aims for success without fear, and advocates for greater visibility and opportunities for artists with disabilities.
• "Interview with Jianna Georgiou"
  Jianna Georgiou is a professional dancer, director and choreographer and has been with Restless Dance since 2006. Interview Summary Jianna Georgiou, who has Italian and Cypriot heritage, shared her journey as a dancer. She expressed her aspirations to collaborate with friends from other dance companies and emphasized her desire to continue her path with Restless Dance Theatre. Jianna’s determination remains strong, fuelled by her goal to perform and the emotional connection she feels through dance. She hopes to explore various dance styles, including hip-hop, which currently resonates with her, and she is motivated by the creative and energetic environment at Restless Dance Theatre.
• "Interview with CB Mako"
  CB Mako is a non-fiction, fiction and fanfiction writer and disability advocate. Interview Summary cubbie||CB Mako is a creative practitioner and disability advocate who emphasizes the importance of accessibility in the arts, advocating for digital inclusivity and the elimination of ableist practices. cubbie pushes for systemic change so that future generations, like their disabled child, don't have to fight for access to art and literature. Success for cubbie is defined by the progress made when institutions include disability in their funding, competitions, and programming. Using the pen name CB Mako and going by pronouns cubbie/they/them, urges non-disabled artists, particularly from communities of colour, to proactively incorporate access in their work.
• "Interview with Alison Richardson"
  Alison Richardson is an ally and advocate for people with disability with experience as an inclusive arts organisation artistic director and access and inclusion officer. Interview Summary Alison Richardson, artistic director and CEO of Crossroad Arts at the time of the interview, has had a 25-year journey through the fields of drama, theatre, and inclusive arts, starting in Sydney and leading to her role in Mackay, Queensland. Her work began by engaging with diverse young people and evolved into a focus on disability arts, recognising a gap in services and opportunities for people with disabilities in artistic expression. Throughout her career, she has witnessed and contributed to the gradual increase in visibility and opportunities for artists with disabilities, acknowledging the fluctuating support and funding in the sector. Despite challenges, Alison has observed progress in how disability arts are valued and the emergence of conversations around identity and representation within this community.
• "Interview with Gayle Kennedy"
• "Interview with Alex Creece"
  Alex Creece is writer, poet, editor, collage artist, and average kook living on Wadawurrung land. Interview Summary Alex Creece, focused on her experiences and journey as a disabled artist and writer in Australia. Alex discussed the importance of building a community and the challenges of balancing personal identity with maintaining professionalism in art. Alex expressed a desire for increased accessibility and recognition in the industry, highlighting the need for continued support of disabled artists. Throughout the conversation, the complexity of disability arts' visibility, identity politics, and the definition of creative success were explored, with Alex providing insight into her own work as well as broader industry trends and challenges.
• "Interview with Janelle Colquhoun"
  Janelle Colquhoun is an opera-jazz singer; corporate and community speaker; MC; producer; and writer. Interview Summary Janelle Colquhoun is a passionate and dedicated former opera singer, who in the interview speaks about, starting an entertainment agency to provide professional opportunities for artists with disabilities after losing her sight. She has produced over 1400 events, performed in a variety of concerts, and worked tirelessly to promote inclusivity in the arts, often by showcasing talented disabled artists to mainstream audiences. Janelle talks about how her work challenges the way people think about disability arts and inclusion, and strives to give equal performing opportunities by advocating for the recognition of artists with disabilities as professionals with the same quality of performance as any other artist.
• "Interview with Morwenna Collett"
  Morwenna is a leader, consultant and facilitator in the arts, government, not-for-profit and university sectors and is passionate about helping arts and cultural organisations to include everyone in their work. Interview Summary Morwenna Collett is a consultant in diversity, access and inclusion and during the interview discusses her vast experience in the disability arts sector including time in the Australia Council where she played a key role in creating the first targeted funding program for artists with disabilities. Morwenna notes that while disability arts is gaining some awareness with mainstream audiences, there are still issues regarding how people think about the quality of art created by artists with disabilities. Morwenna highlights the NDIS as a significant milestone for disability arts in Australia, though she believes that there is much more potential for arts organizations to engage with it. Morwenna also emphasizes that the decision for artists to identify with their disability is a personal choice and it is becoming increasingly safe to disclose this identity, demonstrating progress toward inclusion in the arts.
• "Interview with Jess Cochran"
  Jess Cochran (they/them) is an actor, model, writer and disability advocate. Interview Summary: Jess Cochran is a queer, non-binary, neurodivergent, performing artist, advocate, writer, and consumer consultant with a background in both physical and psychosocial disabilities. Their journey into the performing arts began accidentally with a role in the Awards winning Melbourne Fringe Festival production, Qualia, which opened doors to more local and international Awards-winning work in film and stage. Jess identifies proudly with their disabilities and considers their art both a personal expression and a political act aimed at highlighting the issues faced by the disability community. Jess’s work spans across writing, modelling, and various performance arts, and they wish to see an increase of disability arts representation in mainstream media with authentic casting, opportunities and improved accessibility for disabled performers. Jess is also passionate about highlighting intersectionality in disability arts.
• "Interview with Darcy Carpenter"
  Darcy Carpenter is a professional dancer and has performed with Restless Dance Theatre since 2014. Interview Summary: Darcy is a professional dancer with a family history in dance, who works with Restless Dance Theatre and has worked with the Riverland Youth Theatre. Darcy expressed her passion for dance and acting, mentioning her desire to share emotional experiences with her audience and her personal growth as an artist through the support of Restless Dance Theatre organisation. Throughout the interview, Darcy’s pride as a third-generation dancer shone through, along with her aspirations to continue developing her artistry.
• "Interview with Paul Constable Calcott"
  Uncle Paul Constable Calcott is a proud Wiradjuri man and artist living with a disability on Gubbi Gubbi country….. Uncle Paul uses his art to share stories of his journey as an aboriginal gay man living with a disability in urban Australia. Interview Summary Uncle Paul Calcott is a proud Wiradjuri elder and disability advocate who contracted polio as a child. During the interview, Uncle Paul discusses becoming an artist later in life through the encouragement of his husband and influenced by the storytelling of his culture. He embraces his identity as an Aboriginal, gay man living with disability. He talks about his artwork aiming to celebrate the achievements and contributions of people with disabilities, using traditional symbols to tell new stories, particularly about disability within Indigenous communities. Although there has been increased visibility and acknowledgment of disability arts in Australia, Paul notes that there's still a long way to go in terms of policy, funding, and public recognition. Uncle Paul says art can reflect political and social issues, and he proudly identifies as an artist with a disability and believes in the significance of diverse stories being told through the arts.
• "Interview with Joanne Braddy"
  Joanne Braddy is a disability Advocate with lived experience and creates honest and insightful work about her experiences of anxiety and depression, as a way of breaking down stigmas that stand in the way of healing through painting, drawing, and ceramics to create emotive self-portraits. Interview Summary Joanne is an Australian visual artist with a 15-year career. She began creating art as an outlet for her mental health struggles and her work, which encompasses drawings, paintings, sculptures, and poetry, helps others by bringing awareness to mental health issues. Joanne finds a lack of accessibility with literacy and industry understanding but she remains motivated to exhibit her work and reduce mental health stigma, expressing the need for a supportive gallery to represent her. Despite these challenges, she aspires to have her substantial body of work seen more broadly and possibly go on tour, with the help of a mentor to guide her through the complexity of the art industry.
• "Interview with Alison Bennett"
  Dr Alison Bennett is a senior lecturer in photography at RMIT School of Art specialising in expanded photography, webXR, queer and feminist creative practices. Interview Summary Alison Bennett, an artist and academic, spoke about her work in expanded photography, their experiences with autism, and the intersection of disability discourse with queer activism in their life and work. Their current project, vegetal/digital, arose from their experiences during the pandemic and connects audiences with plant sentience through interactive digital art. Alison also discussed the political nature of their work, aiming to shift ontological frameworks and exploring new modes of engagement through art. They reflected on the significant cultural changes regarding neurodiversity in the last few decades, highlighting the growing self-advocacy among autistic artists and their increasing impact in the arts.
• "Interview with Asphyxia"
  Asphyxia is an artist, author, activist and performer who has founded Amplio, a music app for Deaf and hard of hearing people. She also provides free online Auslan lessons and online art courses. Interview Summary Asphyxia is a Deaf artist whose journey into the arts started with a deep love for ballet, but after facing discrimination due to her Deafness, she pivoted to a successful career in circus performance and later puppetry, which embraced her Deafness and signing skills. Her work in performance art led her to write and illustrate the Awards-winning art-journal book, Future Girl, which explores Deaf identity and environmental issues. She has now moved into music, creating an app that makes music accessible and writing music designed with Deaf and hard of hearing audiences in mind. Although not sure about the major milestones in disability arts history in Australia, she considers her art to be both political and personal, often tackling issues related to her identity as a Deaf person and the aesthetics of disability equipment. While Asphyxia identifies as a Deaf artist, above all, she sees herself as an artist whose work appeals to the mainstream while celebrating Deafness and diversity.