Exhibition Statement

Disability Justice is a movement that challenges ableism by advocating for equality and inclusion of disabled people. This movement considers how disability intersects with systems of oppression like race, gender, class, and sexual orientation. In curating Printmakers for Disability Justice, my goal was to highlight printmakers who identify with disabilities and illustrate how disability impacts everyone,  considering both individual and community lenses; this includes but is not limited to individuals with chronic illness, physical disabilities, neurodivergence, chronic pain, sickness, and other functional impairments.

Printmaking, like many art forms, has historically been shaped by ableist standards, often excluding disabled artists from mainstream institutions. By featuring the work of printmakers with disabilities, this exhibition aims to challenge these norms and amplify the voices of those whose experiences and perspectives are historically overlooked. The work presented here demonstrates how disability is not a limitation, but a powerful lens that shapes unique and innovative artistic practices. This publication serves as a platform for exploring how disability intersects with identity and art, showcasing how disabled artists contribute to a broader cultural dialogue.

Disability is a complex and diverse experience that varies widely from person to person. Many disabled artists’ creative process is informed by their experiences with their body and environment offering new ways to engage with the world. By centering the work of printmakers with disabilities, this publication asks us to reconsider what we understand as “ability” in the context of art. It encourages us to dismantle ableism in creative spaces and recognize disability as an integral part of our cultural landscape. The artists featured here remind us that disability is not a deficit but a source of resilience, creativity, and insight.

Printmakers for Disability Justice is both a celebration and a call to action: to support disabled artists, challenge exclusionary practices, and create more inclusive spaces for artistic expression. When exploring this exhibition, I invite you to view artist works, read their inspiring narratives, and explore the impacts that these artists are making in the studio, community, and beyond!