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.

Collections

WILLIAM HENRY HUNT, INTERIOR OF WEST HILL VILLA (Painting)

Rights information: Copyright: Hastings Museum and Art Gallery

Description

A painting by William Henry Hunt. Hunt often visited Hastings in the winter months to recuperate. While in Hastings, Hunt would paint local scenes such as boats, the seashore and, when requested, grand houses.

When painting, Hunt worked tirelessly, painting from the early morning until dusk to capture the detail of a scene. His dedication and ability saw him develop new watercolour techniques such as using large quantities of opaque white, translucent wash, miniature brushstrokes, and large areas of scratching when painting. These developments significantly influenced later artists, in particular the Pre-Raphaelites.

- Jack Guy, Curating for Change Fellow, Hastings Museum and Art Gallery