A new exhibition of art which challenges popular conceptions of disability will open in Wolverhampton later this week. The show features digital works produced by local young people in collaboration with professional artist Lisa Gunn.
Using a range of media, from short documentaries and fine art videos to sound installations and still photography, the artists, who all have some kind of disability, explored the theme of identity. Many of the young people involved chose to create thought provoking self portraits which present images far removed from conventional representations of disabled people. Monique and Alex depicted themselves floating freely in water, without a wheelchair, crutches or helper, while Jay represented himself dressed as a gangster in his wheelchair, complete with trilby and cigar.
The work will be shown as part of a touring exhibition which starts at Wolverhampton Art Gallery on 7 August.