We are Invisible, We are Visible 

Artsfest / Artsfest 2020 / We are Invisible, We are Visible

This talk will be a trip through the last 50 years of Disability Activism and Disability Art.

As part of UK Disability History Month, the University of Wolverhampton is pleased to present a talk with Mike Layward Artistic Director of DASH (Disability Arts in Shropshire).

In this talk Mike will discuss the last 50 years of Disability Activism and Disability Art looking at:

◆ The history of disability rights
◆ Looking at the different models of disability
◆ What is Disability Art
◆ Briefly looking at some of the disabled artists
◆ Neurodivergence
◆ How's it looking now

Mike Layward has worked in the arts for nearly 40 years, as a performer, musician, carnival designer, maker, puppeteer, producer, director and live artist.

Since 1999 Mike has been Artistic Director of DASH (Disability Arts in Shropshire) and has been instrumental in DASH gaining a National reputation as a Disability Visual arts organisation.

Live Art is a strong thread in DASH’s work with 3 Live Artists commissioned as part of Outside IN (2008-2011), to create new work in The New Art Gallery Walsall, Wolverhampton Art Gallery and oriel Davies Gallery Wales. (Sean Burn, Noemi Lakmaier and the Disabled Avant-Garde).

Mike Co-created and produced M21 with the Live Art Development Agency in 2012. M21 is an Unlimited funded project and part of the Cultural Olympiad. Nine new pieces were commissioned by UK and Croatian Live artists. www.m21dash.org

Mike’s recent work as the ‘Wandering Jew’ includes:‘Genocide (2009)’: Performed in Shrewsbury as part of Holocaust Memorial day and as part of Sean Burn’s residency at the Stanley Picker gallery.‘What would you take?’ (2010) : A film piece on dispossession.‘The Politics of Confinement’ (2012) A performance on land enclosures performed at M21.

Mike’s philosophy is based on the belief that the arts can be a vehicle for Social change.

Mike has an MA in Activism and Social Change (Leeds University) 2009.

DASH: www.dasharts.org

Artsfest 2020

Beatrice Warde's VE Day Diary - A reading by Jessica Glaser / Liz Berry and Tom Hicks: In Conversation / In Conversation: Artist Dean Kelland and James Latunji-Cockbill Part 1 / Dr Max Stewart and Glass Artist Allister Malcolm in Conversation / Lisa Blower and Rob Francis in conversation / Louise Fenton - Lethal in Lace: The Story of a Witchcraft Poppet / Finding our Funny Roots: delving into Black Country humour / Books Across the Sea - Talk by Jessica Glaser / Dr Dean Kelland and James Latunji-Cockbill from IKON In conversation Pt2 / The Rise of Mass Fashion in the Black Country, Talk by Dr Jenny Gilbert / VJ Day Diary of Beatrice Warde - Reading By Jessica Glaser / Printing and Print Culture in the Midlands: a Webinar / Black Country Geopoetics, Talk and Workshop with Writer R.M. Francis / The Haunted and Cursed Dolls in Greyfriars Bothy, Dr Louise Fenton / Ray Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles at Seventy, a talk by Dr Phil Nichols / Pen, Print and Communication in the Eighteenth Century: Webinar Book / We are Invisible, We are Visible / HoPIN Launch Event (History of the Printed Image Network) / 'Somehow', Poetry Reading and Talk with Helen Calcutt / Myriad Editions Literary Salon / Liz Berry Chats Dialect and Poetry with R. M. Francis