Welcome to
 
On Whose Shoulders We Build
​
Disability Arts in the North East - A Living Archive
A tribute to all the disabled artists and groups who have made up the Disability Arts Movement past and present

Exciting Exhibition News!

We are delighted to announce that our exhibition 'On Whose Shoulders We build' opens with a launch at ARC Stockton on 27 July  6.00-8.00pm as a blended online and in person event, with the exhibition itself available in person and online for the duration of its run. 

​On Whose Shoulders We Build Exhibition
​
​Curated by Black Robin and Vici Wreford-Sinnott, from his extensive archive, with contributions from other artists personal archives, we're sharing an introduction to the overall concept for the living archive. There's a montage wall featuring many artists and events from over the years, there are tributes to artists, images of artefacts and 11 featured artists who introduce us to many more artists, tell us about key moments and each give us a message about disability in the 21st century. 

Featured artists in this exhibition include 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 has large print text available and audio tracks to cover each wall which you can get from Box Office. There is audio and image description available on the online 360 exhibition. Our launch event has BSL and captions. The gallery is on the second floor and is accessed by either stairs or lift. The gallery is level access throughout.
​
If you'd like to attend the launch event on 27 July, in person or online, please contact humira.imtiaz@arconline.co.uk

Exhibition runs from 28 July - 24 September (please check ARC opening times)
Please ask at Box Office for the access options for the exhibition which is on the 2nd floor of the building, accessible by both lift and stairs.

Welcome to the Website

Welcome to On Whose Shoulders We Build which is the website for the North East Disability Arts Living Archive. This archive is a tribute to all those who have, and still do, contribute to the rich culture of disability arts in the North East of England. This is stage one of the archive and is largely drawn from the recorded works of Black Robin in consultation with disabled artists from the region. The archive will reflect many of the people, groups and key events both past and present. Disability Arts remains a vibrant arts scene, with individual artists and groups creating amazing change today.

The archive will develop over time and we will continue to add people and events. It’s not fully representative of everything as that information just isn’t held anywhere yet and so this is a beginning. No-one and no group is deliberately left out and you can get in touch if there is anything you would like to suggest is added.

Some of the artists you will see featured...

Karen Sheader - singer songwriter and filmmaker. A disabled woman in her forties when pictured. Short brown pixie crop, smiling broadly at the camera and wearing a beige wooly jumper.

Kev Howard - Photographer and Musician. A black and white portrait of a disabled man in his forties with a long brown pony tail, dark rimmed glasses, and a pin stripe shirt.

Paul Miller - filmmaker, director, animator and author. A portrait of a Deaf white man in his forties with short brown hair, smiling to camera and wearing a navy blue jumper.