Embracing Disabled Joy: Amplifying the Power of Voices
Daisy Hvnter
Embracing Disabled Joy: Amplifying the Power of Voices
Disabled Joy (noun):
Profound happiness and celebration experienced within the disabled community, showcasing resilience and the ability to find joy amidst challenges. It emphasises inclusivity, equality, and the diverse range of triumphs within disabled lives, highlighting the remarkable capacity for fulfilment and beauty.
Hiya, lovely readers! I'm Daisy Hvnter, an artist from Bristol, and I'm really excited to write about my recent collaboration between myself, B Arts and the disabled community of Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and beyond for the Blank Space Mini Residency—one that celebrates disabled joy and amplifies the voices of disabled individuals. So, grab your favourite beverage, find a cosy spot, and let's embark on this journey of inclusivity together!
Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to be part of the Blank Space Mini Residency—a research and development initiative that allowed me to explore a theme close to my heart: disabled joy. And what better time to share this celebration than during Disability Pride Month in July? As an autistic and disabled person myself, I've made it my mission to advocate for inclusivity, ensuring that disabled voices are not only heard but celebrated.
To make this project truly representative of the disabled community, I reached out to disabled creatives in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, aiming to create a collective experience that would showcase diverse perspectives. It was important to me that as many voices as possible contributed to the artwork.
The response to our call for submissions was overwhelming! People from all walks of life shared their thoughts, words, and quotes to be included on the billboard. It was a beautiful sight to witness the conversations sparked and the individual perspectives shared. This collaborative approach brought a rich tapestry of experiences and voices to the forefront.
In addition to the empowering words and quotes, I wanted to incorporate visual elements that added depth and character to the artwork. That's when the local Changes well-being group, a wonderful community, came into the picture. Three incredible drawings from the group—a smiley face, outlines of people, and a landscape—became part of the final background design. These drawings added an extra layer of joy, representing the individuals' unique artistic expressions and perspectives.
The process of fitting all the words, quotes, and drawings together with my own creative identity and style was like solving a colourful puzzle. Each element brought a new dimension, creating a vibrant collage that radiated disabled joy. The final artwork became a testament to the strength, resilience, and positivity of the disabled community.
As someone who grew up in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, bringing this artwork to my home county held deep meaning for me. Seeing it displayed prominently on a billboard outside B arts on the No.72 building was a powerful symbol of the journey I've taken, the communities I've been a part of, and most importantly, the voices that deserve to be celebrated on a public platform.
As we end this journey together, it's important to remember that this project is not about me—it's about the disabled community and the significance of their voices being heard, respected, and celebrated. Through the collaborative contributions of words, quotes, and drawings, we've created a billboard piece that fosters conversation and embraces individual perspectives. It's a powerful reminder that disabled individuals are not defined by their disabilities, but by their strength, resilience, and unwavering capacity for joy.
Thank you to B arts for their support of my idea and creative vision, they have built such a warm and welcoming community hub which offers great opportunities for countless individuals and community groups. I also want to extend a massive thank you to everyone who supported and contributed to this project. Let's continue to spread joy, create support networks and inspire positive change.
These quotes are part of the Blank Space piece currently up for disability pride month.
Being disabled is only one part of someone’s identity, like everyone else disabled people are multifaceted.
Also introducing Sean Armstrong, an exceptional disabled author and photographer! Sean responded to our online call out for the ”I am disabled and…” Blank Space piece and spoke about his creativity and identity as an author and writer.
Sean is currently working on a book series, "The Green Girl," which blends science fiction and superhero themes, perfect for Young Adult readers. The first book “The Green Girl and the Serum” is already available online, but Sean is currently looking for representation to get a further five books published.
Hi, I'm Daisy Hvnter, an artist known for my cosmic collages and sensory installations. I have a passion for gentle disability activism, creating inclusive opportunities, and amplifying underrepresented voices.
My cosmic collages will transport you to celestial realms, and my sensory installations offer therapeutic solace.
Some of my notable achievements include securing DYCP Arts Council England funding in 2022, which led to a solo exhibition at the Vestibules in Bristol. I also showcased my multimedia installation work at the Be[loved] exhibition hosted by Arnolfini in collaboration with Rising Arts Agency.
As a disabled and neurodivergent artist, I have utilised my experiences to promote inclusivity in the creative sector.
As an Inclusion and Access consultant, I've had the privilege of advising organisations like Rising Arts Agency, A Space, PAPER Arts, and Artspace Lifespace to create more inclusive events, artworks, and spaces.
My approach blends my artistic background with a commitment to social change, empowering diverse abilities and backgrounds. It's incredibly fulfilling to work towards making the creative world more inclusive and accessible for everyone.
I’m Adey Bee, a non-binary, queer, vegan human with an acquired brain injury. In 2018 I took a break from paid work following the diagnosis of a stroke that left me with post-stroke central pain, tinnitus and issues with my balance and left side coordination. I found myself in the grip of an existential crisis and while attending counselling sessions, the experience rekindled a passion for poetry and writing monologues. I had found this creative outlet so useful as a tool to deal with my teenage angst and feeling like I didn’t quite fit in to the world but as I got older and felt more like I was comfortable in the space I inhabited, my writing slowed down and eventually stopped Rediscovering this creative process helped me to deal with not just the physical effects of my stroke but also its impact on my mental health. I began to perform spoken word at open mic events and have been a regular performer at the Fringe Tent of Stoke-on-Trent Pride. This year I performed ‘Queer Frustration’, poetry stitched together with monologue narrative about my journey of self-acceptance. It was liberating to share the private words of my poetry journal with audiences.