By Aimee Murphy
Honorable Mention, Visual (2D), Create | Encounter 2019
Artist Statement:
This acrylic painting on canvas is one of the fruits of my own journey to uprooting ableism in my own life. As I have slowly and painfully come to terms with my own newly diagnosed disability, I have found a beautiful community of outspoken and brilliant activists for universal disability inclusion. The diversity of those pictured includes people from many racial backgrounds, and includes a depiction of many conditions represented within the disability community. I wanted to convey an idea I have come upon time and time again in finding my place in the movement for rights for all people with disabilities: pity serves no one, but creating accessible space brings limitless opportunities.