Elizabeth Bills – jenny sealey residency

Mapping sound and emotion

2nd day, Elizabeth Comments Off

Mar 042017

Elizabeth looking at Pony and smiling

Day two I felt I relaxed more into the group and the exercises we were given. We were given time and space to think about who we are: a question that is both frightening and exciting to ask.

I created a work with Pony who was so lovely to work with that my cheeks hurt from laughing. We used audio description as part of our performance as we abstractly conversed about who we are by mapping sounds and emotions over our body.

There is no question about the importance of accessibility and the need to have an AUSLAN interpreters or audio description as soon as you have someone who is deaf and vision impaired in the group. Every time I make a new work now I will be asking myself ‘will Sarah or Peter want to come this show/exhibition?’

Day 3: a celebration

3rd day, Elizabeth Comments Off

Mar 052017

Day three was a celebration. I felt I had grown in confidence and chatted with more of the group. These interactions and conversations over tea break and lunch I hope will continue because they have been just as important to me as the residency itself.

This group of artists, who are incredible in their own right, taught me what it looks like to listen, to help without being patronizing, to have fun, to be proud of who we are. I hope as we go our separate ways we continue this conversation, continue encouraging each other to make brilliant accessible work, continue to be friends.