Project Art Centre is thrilled to present Distinct, an exhibition curated by AlanJames Burns which explores the climate crisis through the perspective of disability. Platforming eleven artists whose practices represent the diverse, intersectional voices of the disability arts community, the exhibition navigates how lived experiences of disability can help inform more sustainable ways of living.

Showing new and reformulated works by Cecilia Bullo, Yvonne Condon, Richard Forrest, Michelle Hall, Vera Klute, Ruth Le Gear, Jane McCormick, David Parnell, Aisling Reina, Katherine Sankey and Suzanne Walsh, Distinct coincides with the launch of Disrupt Disability Arts Festival, Ireland’s new annual disability-led and disability-focused arts festival.

Curated with accessibility in mind, this exhibition represents extensive research into the intersections of climate change, disability, and art. The climate emergency disproportionately affects people with lived experience of disability in various ways, including from lack of accessible climate policy information, vulnerabilities in extreme weather events, and the creation of ‘sustainable’ ways of living that don’t consider the disability experience – known as eco-ableism.

“People with lived experience of disability are routinely and systematically not considered in climate action projects, policies, and discussions,” says curator and Disrupt Disability Arts Festival Co-Director AlanJames Burns, “yet people with lived experience of disability have expert skill sets which can be harnessed as catalysts for inclusive climate action including resilience, resourcefulness, community care and the ability to navigate barriers and obstacles. This knowledge can be used to collectively address the precarious environmental position we all find ourselves in.”

Informed by universal design principles, the exhibition’s design, lighting, video and audio elements create a balanced ‘ecosystem’ where works turn on and off in sequence, giving each piece its own space, time and voice. This idea of the ecosystem informs a reflection on the challenges and difficulties of both disability and the climate emergency posing questions around interdependence, unity vs. individuality, and the relationship between time and the body. Visitors will experience the exhibition in its entirety over approximately 25 minutes, with sitting and resting points provided.

The exhibition is accompanied by a hybrid program of talks, performances and workshops.

Supported by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon, Visual Arts Project Award, Dublin City Council, Project Arts Centre and RTÉ Supporting the Arts.

Preview and performance by Suzanne Walsh: 7 March 2024, 6.00pm – 6.50pm.

The exhibition runs from 8 March – 20 April 2024 at Project Arts Centre.

Trigger warnings for this event are:

Disability, Access, Ableism, Climate Emergency