Deaf voices and experiences are being brought to the foreground as part of a new exhibition at the Footscray Community Arts Centre.
Claire Bridge and Chelle Destefano’s What I Wish I’d Told You is running until Sunday, August 28.
Bridge said the exhibition uses the gallery into a deaf space and a place for the affirmation of sign language and deaf culture.
“With more than 70 deaf and hearing collaborators involved, What I Wish I’d Told You, offers a model for deaf and hearing allyship, bringing deaf storytellers together with hearing allies, creating interpersonal connections, dissolving barriers and providing opportunities for deeper sharing and understanding,” she said.
Destefano is deaf and said the exhibition aims to tell stories using Auslan.
“Our stories cannot be put on a page, detached from us,” she said.
“When we tell stories through sign language, our whole body, mind, emotion, and inner-self is also expressed.
“They are a site of resistance and pride.”
Footscray Community Arts Centre artistic director and co-chief executive Daniel Santangeli said the exhibition is inclusive and accessible, as the works include Auslan sign language, deaf/blind sign, spoken English and captioned text.
“We’re proud to be presenting our most ambitious exhibition for the year with the deaf community,” he said.
“At the heart of this large scale exhibition across all three of our galleries is social justice, equity and allyship, which are all values at the core of Footscray Community Arts.”
The Footscray Community Arts Centre will host a launch event on Saturday, July 23 from 3pm until 5pm, with presentations from Dr Gabrielle Hodge, Chelle Destefano and Ramas McRae.
Details: footscrayarts.com/event/what-i-wish-id-told-you/
Matthew Sims
