Exhibition 2022

On Whose Shoulders We Build Exhibition
ARC Stockton 2022

Our first in person and online exhibition 'On Whose Shoulders We build' opened at ARC Stockton on 27 July 2022, and was a blended online and in person launch.

An image of Lindsay Cartrer and Karen Sheader at the Metamorphosis Ball, Mimosa Festival 2006. It is dimly lit cabaret atmosphere and Lindsay and Karen are informally chatting. Lindsay is holding a soft to dog with comedy glasses on and she herself is wearing white and turquoise face makes up. She has short spiky hair. Karen has short dark hair and is wearing a red top and red bead necklace.

Photo Credit: Black Robin. Karen Sheader and the late Lindsay Carter at The Metamorphosis Ball, Sage Gatehead, 2006

Curated by Black Robin and Vici Wreford-Sinnott, from his extensive archive, with contributions from other artists' personal archives, we shared an introduction to the overall concept for the living archive. There was a montage wall featuring many artists and events from over the years, there were tributes to artists, images of artefacts and 11 featured artists who introduced us to many more artists, told us about key moments and each gave a message about disability in the 21st century.

Featured artists in this exhibition included award winning actor, writer, presenter and producer Kim Tserkezie, who many people will remember as Penny Pocket in Balamory, film maker and singer songwriter Karen Sheader, formerly of punk band The Fugertivs, Andy Stafford from The Lawnmowers, Professor Simon McKeown and Deaf sign singer and poet Colly Metcalfe. Also featured are Paul James an Associate at Live Theatre, Lady Kitt who is a maker of social glue and is a Drag King, Candice Keenan from Full Circle Theatre Company, musician and photographer Kev Howard whose d-Formed exhibition was seen by over 30,000 people. Internationally acclaimed Gobscure and theatre and screen writer/director Vici Wreford-Sinnott.

Access
The gallery exhibition had large print text available and audio tracks to cover each wall which were accessed from Box Office. There was audio and image description available on the online 360 exhibition. Our launch event had BSL and captions. The gallery is on the second floor and is accessed by either stairs or lift. The gallery is level access throughout.

Exhibition ran from 28 July - 24 September
The exhibition was incredibly well attended with over 1,000 people coming to see it. There are plans to share the entire exhibition online on this website in 2023.

Further plans for the archive are funding dependent but the aim is to extend the archive further in 2023.

Please note