Joanne Tiffany
Joanne Tiffany is a
multidisciplinary artist living in Wakefield, currently studying Fine Art at
Leeds Beckett University, whilst also being an ambassador to the charity
‘Outside In’. Tiffany explores the social contract, focusing on issues around
disability, chronic illness, power, and barriers. Through all her work, she
passionately advocates for equality, inclusivity and access whilst using her
own personal lived experience to be both progressive and positive.Pandora
Image description:
Exhibition photograph of ‘Pandora’ a light sculpture made of a series of interconnected 7.5 x 7.5-inch wooden squares with jigsaw piece edges fitted together to form a hollow cube. Each square is laser cut with multiple kind, complimentary and compassionate words, for example, ‘delightful’, ‘charming’ and ‘supporting’ and then spray-painted gloss black. Placed within the centre of the top square of the cube is a brass light fitting which enables the hanging of the sculpture but also encases a warm orange light bulb within the cube.
The light projects the words from the sculpture on the environment, distorting them and rendering them at times unreadable depending on the location, time of day and lighting. Image credit: Harry Meadley.
Audio Description:
‘Pandora’ is a series of six 19.5cm thin, hard wooden, interconnected jigsaw edged squares forming a hollow cubed sculpture with laser cut out stencil-style letters. Each side has multiple kind, complimentary and compassionate words cut out, such as ‘delightful’, ‘charming’ and ‘supporting.’ The outer surface has been sprayed gloss black. Centrally to the top square there is a dull brass light fitting with a black cord, that protrudes and enables the hanging of the sculpture from the ceiling. A domestic lightbulb is encased within the centre of the cube, which when switched on casts a warm orange projection of the words onto adjacent surfaces.
‘Memento Mori’
Image Description:
Exhibition photograph of ‘Memento Mori’ a mixed-media sculpture made up from empty and used white pill packets and white cotton, displayed on a vintage brown leather armchair. The sculpture is shown with the white vacuum-formed raised pill packets topside up, draped over an arm rest and resting onto the chair. The cotton strands fall from the back of sculpture, over the chair onto the ground. Displayed at a three-quarter angle with a white wall behind and placed on a dove grey floor. Image credit: Harry Meadley.
Audio Description:
‘Memento Mori’ is a mixed-media textile sculpture, incorporating used, discarded white empty medication packets that have been blanket stitched and then crocheted together with white cotton to form a lap blanket. The artwork is a visual journey and exploration of chronic illness and reliance on the medical and pharmaceutical industry in a turbulent and unreliable world of unknowing.
This shapeshifting artwork creates, shifts and expands in context, having been different artworks in smaller previous forms and with further exploration hopes to continue to develop.
‘The Vanguards’
Image description:
Exhibition photograph of ‘The Vanguards’ a combination of art, performance, workshop, advertisement, document, activism, and protest photographs showing the archival collection of NDACA representing the history of the Disability Art Movement. Image credit: Harry Meadley .
Audio Description:
‘The Vanguards’ represents a small snapshot of the progressive and powerful collaboration of the Disability Arts Movement, showing how connection, education and action brought about significant change to society through the arts.
National Disability Arts Collection Archive (NDACA):
NDACA is a £1-million project that brings to life the heritage and rich history of the UK Disability Arts Movement. The Disability Arts Movement began in the late 1970s and continues today. It involved a group of disabled people and their allies who broke down barriers, helped change the law with the Disability Discrimination Act of 1995, and made great culture and art about those struggles.
The-ndaca.org is delivered by the disability-led arts organisation Shape Arts which provides opportunities and support for disabled artists and cultural organisations to build a more inclusive and representative cultural sector. The online catalogue includes 3,500 images, films, resources plus more.
External Links
Artist Instagram: www.instagram.com/joanne_tiffany_art/
Artist Website: www.joannetiffany.com/
NDACA Website: www.the-ndaca.org