The latest Thought Foundation exhibition, running until Friday 14th June 2019 has launched and we were excited to be among the first to see it.
Let’s Discuss Disability is a group exhibition of artists who explore their own disability through creative practice. Thought Foundation selected these local and regional creatives to connect to and challenge their audience. With photography, spoken word, sculpture and “invalid carriages” on display, Let’s Discuss Disability creates a personal and historical discourse about how we discuss disability in past, present and going forward.
We brought our daughter and had some fantastic and thought-provoking discussions.
One of the exhibitions was created by a group of young people from North East Autism Society. They created artwork that clearly articulates how the autistic artists want to be treated and valued. Many of the creators were there- brimming with pride and confidence and exultation in their achievements. It was very moving! It was, in itself, a very clear testimony about how any of us thrive and bloom when we are respected and nurtured. It is what these young people are calling us to do, how they have been treated and acknowledged through this exhibition and how we are challenged as a community to do much more considerately and actively.
We are also challenged by the exhibition by Hello Little Lady. ‘You’re Just Little’ is a photographic exhibition that reveals the challenges, obstacles and societal assumptions people with Dwarfism face on a daily basis. Seeing everyday objects from a considerably different perspective drove home the point of our privilege and the fact that not everyone is included or able to access so much that we take for granted.
Another series of photos highlighted beauty in those with physical disabilities.
Richard was very taken with the Invalid Carriage- a free vehicle given to those with limited mobility in the 70s. He might have been eligible for one himself, to manage his Compartment Syndrome! We’d never seen or heard of them before, so it was really interesting to see. And an artistic design classic, too!
After exploring the exhibition we treated ourselves to a snack in the beautiful Brain Food café. It’s a great spot for a wholesome and healthy taste-tastic lunch or breakfast or coffee and a catch up.
If you have little ones, they can have a creative play in the cosy and stimulating area at the back, complete with fairground ride chair and an ever changing range of thought-provoking resources to capture their imagination and keep them captivated and engaged while you relax. There’s a lovely sun-trap mini beach complete with caravan outside for more explorative fun (plus plenty of seating), too.
Thought Foundation offer a really wide range of activities for young and older alike, so drop in to appreciate the exhibition or check out one of their many and varied events. You’ll find cinema clubs, craft classes, clothes swaps and much more! They even have a lovely little shop section where you can pick up beautiful cards and gifts, mostly from independent, local creative businesses.
So, if you haven’t been to Thought Foundation in Birtley, Gateshead for a while or you haven’t been for a while, we can heartily recommend a visit. It really got us talking about and thinking about disability, how we might better support those with disabilities and the unique perspectives and strengths we can learn from people with disabilities. Let’s Discuss Disability!
Check out our blog on what a trainee with autism brought to our business.
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