Leisa Rich: Invisible:visAble
Invisible:visAble, an exhibition curated by Leisa Rich (BFA 1982) featuring artists who live with hidden disabilities, will open Oct. 30 at Abernathy Arts Center Gallery in Atlanta, GA.
Many people live with a disability that impacts their everyday lives. A “hidden” or “invisible” disability is defined as a serious, ongoing medical or mental health challenge that impedes a completely normal existence but does not usually “show” on the outside.
This exhibit invites the participating artists — from South Africa, the U.S. and Canada — to show how their hidden disabilities inform their work, celebrating uniqueness and positivity in the face of adversity. All of the artists in this exhibition lead what can be perceived as fully “normal” lives: as educators, professional artists, mothers, and business people. Every day they privately contend with needles, drugs, treatments, hospitalizations, erroneous assumptions, misperceptions and more, because they ‘pass’ as normal. The artists in this exhibition have diabetes, deafness, brain damage, funnel chest, bulimia, polycystic kidney disease, and bipolar/social anxiety disorders. Through a variety of techniques and mediums such as drawing on paper, thread on plastic, 3D printing, diabetes test strips on canvas, weaving, metal, ceramic, and installation, they make public their feelings and seek to create a conversation about the beauty of living and using art to move forward. This informative exhibition will open doors for conversation and communication about the importance of valuing the creative contribution of artists with challenges.
Participating artists include Brooks Harris Stevens, J.Penney Burton, Linda Wallace, Leisa Rich, Michelle Urbanek, Katherine Soucie, Leah Owenby, Kathy Abernathy Meliopoulos, Lynne Lomofsky, Julie Sims, Rea, Lauren Sandler, Kelsey Simmen, Jason Thomson, and Ingrid Knox. The artist is using telepresence robots that will “attend” the exhibition and provide an opportunity for viewers to speak directly with participating artists from South Africa and Canada who are unable to make the exhibition.
Invisible:visAble
October 30 — November 27, 2015
Opening Reception: October 30, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Artist Talk: Saturday, October 31 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Abernathy Arts Center Gallery
254 Johnson Ferry Rd. NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30328