Breaking the Boundaries of Neurodiverse and Disability Art
artwork from the DAM Venice exhibition.
Lincoln Center in New York recently held its annual Big Umbrella Day, which provides programming for audiences with autism and other developmental disabilities. Copenhagen Contemporary presents an exhibit featuring the talented artists from the Project Art Works program, a collective of neurodiverse artists and activists. As the La Biennale di Venezia 2024 is in full force, the first major international exhibition of the UK Disability Arts Movement with their exhibit DAM in Venice is making a dynamic impact.
In addition to the Biennale exhibition, numerous museums and award-granting organizations are taking note to feature disability and neurodiverse art. Project Art Works was nominated for a Tate Museum Turner Prize. SFMOMA recently featured the exhibition Creative Growth: The House that Art Built. Turning attention toward the Oakland-based Creative Growth organization recently celebrating its 50th anniversary.
SFMOMA’s exhibition features work from its half-million-dollar acquisition of more than 100 Creative Growth artworks, the largest purchase by an American museum of disability art. Director Christopher Bedford has pledged to introduce more art by developmentally disabled people into its collection displays, adding to the canon of modern art history.
Creative Growth artist William Scott has a newly commissioned mural in the SFMOMA exhibition. Photo: Cayce Clifford for The New York Times.
It is more than just large museums and organizations emphasizing these talented yet often underrepresented artists. Local communities are making space, as well. Our Bader+Simon board director, Kathryn Sonne, co-founded one such organization. Club203 in Connecticut was created to support adults who self-identify as “special needs” individuals and to bridge the gap that exists for adults after high school by providing a social opportunity.
This is but one example of many that exist in communities nationwide. Art tells a story, not just for one but for many, including those who gift us with their deep insight and honest translation. Institutions are coming to the realization that neurodiverse artists offer something new and exciting.
Art by Dan Miller of Creative Growth .
Art is subjective. It creates a story for both the creator and the viewer. Yet, the artist's job is not only to create what exists in the exterior world but also to purge and process emotions, experiences, and perceptions. Unlike words, art can communicate through a visual language that reaches a far wider audience than text alone.
The fabrication of art captures the essence of life. For those living with disabilities and neurodiversity, art has the power to communicate not about the actual art itself but the artist's perspective on what is being created. The world is taking note of these talented creators.
Entrance to the DAM Venice exhibit.
Artwork from a Club203 event.
House No 6/8, 2016 by Albert Geere from the Project Art Works, in the Turner prize exhibition. Photograph: David Levene for The Guardian.
“The object of art is not to reproduce reality, but to create a reality of the same intensity.”