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Deaf Artists' Exhibit, A Perspective of Deaf Culture Through Art,
at Deaf Studies IV Conference, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Woburn, MA, April 27-30, 1995 Gallery Guide Introduction
Art is an excellent medium in educating both Deaf and hearing people about the Deaf experience. To offer some thought-provoking perspectives about being Deaf
in many ways we as Deaf persons may not think about. Some works will be culture affirming and others will show the horrors of oppression. To offer personal perspectives by the artists, basically what it means to be Deaf.
To provide sources for scholarly and academic discussions related to De'VIA, the Deaf View/Image Art set forth in a manifesto created by a group of Deaf artists during Deaf Way, at Gallaudet in 1989. (See the next
page for a copy of this manifesto.) Do the elements considered necessary to make art Deaf art as defined in that manifesto apply to all the works in this exhibit? Do all the works in the exhibit have a place in what is
"Deaf Art"? There might be some works that are debatable. To provide this rare opportunity for both Deaf and hearing people to see the power and purpose of the subject matter in a mounted exhibition.
The purpose of this Gallery Guide Many nuances of the works included in this exhibit may be difficult to discern without knowledge of the issues and perceptions common to members of the Deaf community. This
guide is intended to provide information concerning the ways in which each work is relevant to the Deaf culture or experience. People who are already knowledgeable about the Deaf culture may find this guide helpful in
obtaining deeper insights into these works. No one, however, should consider the information presented here absolutely definitive: it is, rather, subjective material written on the basis of information obtained from a
variety of sources, including the artists, and including direct quotations from many of these artists. Viewers are encouraged to offer their own thoughts. Brenda Schertz April 10, 1995
Artworks, in alphabetical order by artist Family Dog
, 1991 Glenna and Nike, triptych, 1994 I Interesting Hamster, 1993 Pussy, 1994 Regionalization, 1993 Mirror, Mirror, 1986
Read My Lips, 1986 Untitled, 1993 False Image of Cochlear Corporation, 1994 Technology Changes Our Perception of Reality, 1994 Deaf Studies Soup: DS National Conference, 1995 Hearing-Impaired: WRONG WAY/Deaf: RIGHT WAY
, 1992 Progress Soup: Manual Alphabet, 1995 Culture Shock, 1990 Deaf Way, 1990
Sound, 1990 We Are Brothers, 1990 Milan, Italy, 1880 (After Goya's 'Third of May, 1808'), 1994 Signing Mona Lisa, Split Image, 1993 Why People Are Afraid of Me, 1994 The World As Earmold, 1994 Lily, (date unknown) Mouth In Hand Series, 1973-74 Music Notes Series, 1975-78 My Eyes Are My Ears, 1974-75 Wrinkled Paper Series, 1974-75 Acknowledgments I am deeply indebted to many people for the help without which the
exhibit would not have been possible. It is not possible to name all of them, but special thanks are due to: The magnificent staff at Gallaudet University Regional Center, Kathy Vesey, Director, for asking me to
set up this exhibit; Chris Facchina, as an equal partner in the planning for the exhibit, for keeping me updated on tasks I needed to do, and for keeping track of all communication channels; Mark Sommer for
coordinating efforts with DawnSignPress and trying to keep everyone calm during those frantic moments; and last, but far from least, Tracey Gallerani for her cheerfulness and invaluable assistance with the
printing needs of the art exhibit. The loyalty and patience of the participating artists who were very accommodating to certain arrangements and for loaning their works to this very special exhibition. Mary J.
Thornley, a participating artist, for allowing us to use her work, "Milan, 1880 (After Goya's Third of May, 1808)" for the conference poster. Dawn Sign Press for agreeing to install spectacular pieces of
Harry R. Williams' work in the exhibit. Betty G. Miller, who besides loaning a number of her works to this exhibit also assisted with the biographies of Ralph R. Miller and Lee S. Ivey.
L.K.Elion, for providing Harry R. Williams's biography. Nancy V. Becker and Vicki Bradham for loaning works by Betty G. Miller and Chuck Baird to the exhibit. John Dunleavy for his support and editorial assistance.
Joseph P. Bevillard, for his photographic services. The Deaf Community News, for providing continous coverage of the Deaf Studies Conference and the Deaf Artists' Exhibit. Sue Burnes, Pat Ward Costello, John
Dunleavy, and Kristin Johnson for serving as Gallery tour guides. All the volunteers who are so eager to assist with many different aspects of the exhibit. Brenda Schertz
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