Charlene Lim Zhi Rou
ArtsXplore is a youth-centric arts incubation and mentorship programme that believes in influencing issues that we care about through art-making. As part of Horizon, mentored by Grace Kalaiselvi, my group explored the theme of inclusivity, with a focus on arts by persons with disabilities.
DISABILITIES IN SOCIETY
According to the World Health Organisation, people with disabilities (PWD) make up 15% of the world's population, an estimate of 1 billion people, making up the world's largest minority community. Due to the lack of awareness and interaction, the community is commonly misunderstood and face great discrimination. People fail to ask:
"What do you want/need?"
Society assumes that they know what is best for the community; and that they are unaware of their wants and needs simply because they possess a disability. However, what they seek is mutual understanding, to not be viewed and treated differently. Afterall, they are human like everyone else. A takeaway from Stephanie, "My disability is just a part of me, not all of me."
DISABILITIES IN THE ARTS
Art is meant to be a form of creativity and expression. There are two extreme spectrums int he arts. On one side, artists with disabilities are silenced because society believes they know best; on the other, they are celebrated as inspirations.
"Show us what you can do"
Like anyone, they are capable of many things but we fail to see what they truly are capable of. Disability art is not any different from mainstream art. The label is redundant. The process of art-making may be different but it is still art worth celebrating. While they may face difficulties, those obstacles are no difference from the others just becuase of their disability. We should look beyond their disabilities and celebrate them for their abilities as artists
FEATURED ARTISTS
Lee Lee is a visually impaired artist who has endeavoured projects on theatre and film, collaborating with local and international artists. She hopes to challenge perspectives and highlight that she is just an artist like many others through her works.
Notable work: Perspectives (Film)
Stephanie Esther Fam
"There are different shades of me, different shades of people."
Stephanie is an artist who views her work as an ever-emerging expansion. Through writing, performance, and visual mediums, Stephanie hopes her work brings a sense of strength, understanding, and comfort to anyone who comes to know of it. She strives for her work to be the voice of unspoken, unheard, and often forgotten.
Notable work: Shades (Poetry Book)
Zen Feng Zhi Hua
"It is ok not to be ok"
Zen is a photographer with autism. He was first exposed to photography during his studies in animation. Feeling great joy from the activity, he continued pursuing it as a hobby. He also has a mental health condition called schizoaffective [disorder], a mixture of schizophrenia and depression symptoms.
Gallery
