Art de Triomphe
Becoming disabled is an unwelcome life changing event and everyone reacts differently to this unwanted challenge. For some this provides an opportunity to be creative and triumph over the adversity that has permanently impacted their lives. Art by triumphant persons with disabilities.
Art in all its splendid forms; creative writing, drawing, music, painting, performance art, photography, poetry, pottery and the myriad of other forms that surround us. With your help we will encourage and support the creative growth of persons with disabilities. Please us the form below to tell us what is going on in your area; or tell us what needs to happen.
The first Art de Triomphe event happened an was a huge success!
It began with Christine Bayer’s musings over coffee in January, grew by April to become a five artist event that opened at the end of June to rave reviews with unprecedented community support. This extraordinary happening was Art de Triomphe – Celebrating Triumphant Northumberland Artists with Disabilities.
The costs associated with the show were mitigated by the space being donated and a number of easels being constructed by retired art teacher Cliff Bell-Smith of Cobourg. The artists themselves have also donated works to be raffled off as a fundraiser to defray costs.
All the artists have found that creative expression has played a very important part in helping them deal with MS, and welcomed a public forum to demonstrate the very positive role that exploring creativity can have for persons with a chronic disease.
The primary objective of the Art de Triomphe Exhibition & Sale was to build public awareness and send the message that persons with disabilities can contribute very significantly to society at all levels. In this case accomplished artists are demonstrating that, despite their challenges, they are still in the game.
It does not stop there, this message is not limited to those people who had demonstrated artistic ability before becoming disabled. Everyone has the capacity to be creative at some level; using creative expression provides a way for persons with disabilities to triumph over the adversity that has permanently impacted their lives. We cannot all be wonderful artists, but we all have a creative spark that is just waiting to be ignited.
Getting creative is a way of allowing people free expression and allowing them to really find themselves, an invaluable morale booster! For some people being compelled to make major life changes opens the door on an opportunity to explore their inner creativity and develop in areas that were never considered possible It’s not a question of satisfying anyone else; they are creating for themselves. Creativity is one way to remain involved in life, the Art de Triomphe team want to stimulate people to find their creative potential — to accelerate them into life.
Art de Triomphe is interested in hearing from other disabled artists who might wish to participate in next year’s show Remember that the term “artist” is not limited to the visual arts. Art can be anything from film making to rug hooking to sculpting or building bird houses.
I retired with time to take art lessons, but almost immediately lost the use of my only good hand. Mouthpainting was the answer! Art has become an inspiring journey filled with wonderful people and an exciting life-long learning experience. Brenda Crossley, water colours, photography and Art d’Assemblage
Living with a disability has given me the time, and has deepened my sense of spirituality. This, I feel, is reflected in my life and my art.
Christine Bayer, oil and acrylic landscaping painting.
Paralysis in my right arm ended my career in realism, learning to paint with my left hand has given me a completely different and unique style.
Marlene McLean, abstract and colour artist.
Living with MS since 2006 I adapted using my left hand and smaller canvases. Abstract and colours are what I love.
Patti Harvey, fine art photography
I have been living with a disability since 1994 and photography is a new and rewarding challenge that I am incredibly thankful for.
GREAT WORK … oops .. didn’t mean to shout …
Too bad I do not live in Cobourg.
Gini
Comment by Gini - May 29, 2008 @ 4:21 pm
Really nice concept. I’d like to develop something like this in Niagara – a show just for artists with disabilities. The problem I have is trying to ferret them out. Many artists with disabilities simply show with everyone else like I do. Some don’t show at all.
I think we’d have a great deal to talk about if we all got together. Would an online Canadian Artists with Disabilities website be something someone would like to start? I’d be interested in joining one if someone wanted to start one. e-mail me if you do. Great going! Lovely work. Linda
Comment by Linda - May 31, 2008 @ 11:47 am
I can’t even draw a stick figure…you should all be very proud of your works, they are incredible. I wish you all the best at the show! I am sure it will be a great day! Karen
Comment by Karen - June 1, 2008 @ 8:10 am
Amazing! What great talent these artists have! I wish I could get to the exhibition. Please keep me on the list for any future events closer to Aurora ON
Comment by Sue - June 4, 2008 @ 10:29 pm
Just further proof that disability is not the barrier, but rather, it can be the highway to accomplishing more than our dreams could imagine!
The ‘artists’ included in this exhibition are valued through the window to their world they allow us to share!
Congratulatins to all the entrants and look forward to seeing more demonstrations in the future of persons with disabilities who exemplify all that is positive about dramatic life change!
Comment by Kathleen - July 26, 2008 @ 8:25 am
Beautiful!
Comment by Jenny Gilker - July 28, 2008 @ 11:17 am
On the home page it states that “we are not world class artists.” From what I view of your work, you are world class. Plus you all are classier and gutsy because you put it out there. I am still struggling about putting it out there. congratulations.
Comment by Susan - August 3, 2008 @ 8:05 pm