Finding collections relating to d/Deaf, disabled and neurodiverse people

One of the aims of our project is to make collections relating to d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people more visible – and to share some of the objects our Fellows and Trainees are discovering.

Some will have quite obvious connections to disabled people’s lives – a walking stick, some braille or images of disabled people. But we will also be exploring less obvious connections too. Sometimes the significance of an object is its owner; its part in a bigger story, or the way someone with lived experience of disability has responded to it. In this way we hope to broaden the ways that d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent stories are told.

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THE RECLAMATION OF RYAN BROWN (Artwork)

2023

This blackwork embroidery was created by co-producer Ryan Brown and his friend Dr. Adam Keithley for display in the co-curated gallery trail "Nothing Without Us: Experiences of Disability" at the Pitt Rivers Museum, curated by Kyle Lewis Jordan, running from 16th November 2023 - 6th October 2024.The piece represents Ryan’s personal journey recovering from trauma...

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Rights information: Copyright: Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

Description

This blackwork embroidery was created by co-producer Ryan Brown and his friend Dr. Adam Keithley for display in the co-curated gallery trail "Nothing Without Us: Experiences of Disability" at the Pitt Rivers Museum, curated by Kyle Lewis Jordan, running from 16th November 2023 - 6th October 2024.

The piece represents Ryan’s personal journey recovering from trauma and ‘reclaiming’ the pieces of himself.

Community curation: This piece was born from a challenging period of my life, where I was harmed in situations encountered due to the vulnerabilities that arise from my disabilities. It represents my journey to reclaim myself, supported by my new-found sense of community. “The Reclamation” symbolises my path to finding peace and purpose in simple joys, like perfecting a stitch.

The artwork is filled with symbols and phrases that have been emblematic of my recovery, with squares representing the unwavering care that I have received from my friends: Greg, Andrew, Adam, James, Claire, and so many others. Having the courage to ask for help has been a point of survival for me and I’m so pleased to be able to repay their kindness through the creation of this piece. - Ryan B.

Meet our Fellows and Trainees

The Curating for Change project is running eight Fellowships over 18 months and eight Traineeships over 40 days based across 20 partner museums. Learn more about our Fellows and Trainees here.

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