One of the most human desires to exist is the drive to create art—whether it is visual, musical, literary, or dramatic. The Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HoH) community is absolutely no exception to this creative drive. Over the years, hundreds of D/HoH artists from around the world have produced magnificent artworks that have expressed so much passion, helped increase mutual understanding between the D/HoH community and hearing individuals, and shared some of their most beautiful stories!
While art has been created by Deaf individuals for generations, the first true visual art movement of Deaf artists came about in the 1960s with the Deaf Art Movement (1). This revolutionary movement was the first of its kind in the Western world as it created a distinct flavour of visual art, celebrating Deaf and Hard of Hearing culture while also illuminating some of the obstacles the community faces (ie. non-inclusive technology, prevalence of audism, etc).
Artists in these movements, such as Ann Silver, “...fought for recognition, equality and social justice for the Deaf artist community — and have also advocated for the inclusion of Deaf Art in the museum/gallery world and in academia” (2).
Ann Silver
Progress Soup: Manual Alphabet, 1995 (Soup Series)
Mixed Media, 20" x 16"
One of the most important things about art is that it can be used to tell stories—either through describing the life experiences of the artist, or even as a way to capture the history of the D/HoH community at large. In particular, visual art is a stunning example of this creative storytelling, especially considering the importance of modality of sight within the D/HoH community.
In 1989, a new term was coined for this movement—De’VIA (or, “Deaf View/Image Art”) (3). According to the Museum of Deaf History, Arts, and Culture (in Kansas, USA), De’VIA is a handy acronym that stands for four elements of the Deaf Art Movement:
De: Deaf & Deaf-Blind Expression of Affirmation, Resistance, and Liberation
V: View of how Deaf & Deaf-Blind experience the world
I: Images/Motifs/Symbols of the Deaf Experience
A: Art, Activism, Aesthetics, and Authentic Expressions of the Deaf Experience
Essentially, De’VIA shares art and expression from the Deaf point of view and experience in a way that members of the D/HoH community can relate to. It was also seen as a vessel for understanding between the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community and hearing individuals. For example, Chuck Baird, one of the most prominent De’VIA artists, described it as “..the meaning of De’VIA pieces transcended one-dimensional messages into a conduit for understanding and appreciation between the Deaf and hearing communities” by “explaining Deaf hardships” (1). Artistically, it contains many elements of the use of bold colours, alongside featuring a central focal point. Perhaps most importantly, this genre communicates many of the crucial values of the D/HoH community, including unity and community, anti-audism, and inclusivity (4). For example, Nancy Rourke is a prominent De’VIA artist that has gained international recognition for her distinctive style and message she portrays within her paintings, such as painting the realities of the Deaf experience:
Nancy Rourke
Understanding Deaf Culture, 2010
Oil on Stretched Canvas, 30” x 40”
The Art Gallery of Ontario often holds exhibits exemplifying and celebrating the contribution of Deaf artists, as well as the importance of having an accessible environment for all to enjoy artworks. Recently, they hosted a talk event called “Deaf Culture Moments”, in partnership with a Deaf art educator—and, this coming March 2023, they will be hosting an accessibility-positive music and art night with Musical ASL Interpretation (5).
Tactile art also has a fascinating place in the D/HoH community—specifically, it holds particular importance for Deafblind individuals. For example, in Canada, the Ontario Deafblind Ontario Services Foundation hosts a “yarnbombing” event for Deafblind Awareness Month in June. During this international event, Deafblind individuals knit and crochet individual pieces, which are then put up in public as pieces of street art. Not only does this exhibit the art made by Deafblind individuals, it also opens communication about the Deafblind experience!
Lakeshore Library in Innisfil, ON, getting yarnbombed! (6)
However, not all art is just paintings—dance, literature, poetry, and music all play significant roles within the artistry found emanating from the D/HoH community! But, wait… don’t music and dance need the subject to be able to hear to experience the art, you may ask? The answer is stunningly simple: no, they do not! (If you are interested in learning more, QASL has an earlier blog about the Deaf Experience of Music [NOTE: I’ll link Zoe’s blog here!]) By feeling the bass and vibrations of the music, Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals can enjoy music just as much—so, while the experience of music is different than how a hearing person would experience it, it is no less impactful and meaningful.
An artist that exemplifies this is Warren “Wawa” Snipe, a Deaf rapper, writer, and performer. He raps in the genre he calls “Dip-Pop”—or, ‘hip-hop through deaf eyes.' Take a look at what he has to say about his work in the short video below!
Similarly, dance provides a freedom of expression and storytelling through movement. In a way, the very same concept applies to ASL as well—so it is to no surprise that D/HoH people thrive within these spaces of artistry as well! Watch Shaheem Sanchez exemplify this within his own dance journey, where he aims to break boundaries through his presence and passion on stage:
A further fusion of art, dance, and ASL is found in interpretive signing—that is, when ASL and dance is combined with the lyrics and rhythms of music. Robert Bhola, a local Ontario Hard of Hearing performer, has an example of this in his performance of The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby”:
On the left, he’s interpreting the song word-for-word in ASL; however, on the right frame is his artistic interpretation—or, as he puts it, “painting a picture” of the meaning behind the song. Seeing the difference side-by-side illustrates how this art is more than just a direct translation of English to ASL—it is a dance, in and of itself!
Lastly, writing, poetry, and literature are the perfect vessels for storytelling artistry. In both English and ASL, D/HoH writers reflect on and express Deaf culture and Deaf experience through their works—either in a printed format, or in a live/video format that presents these works to the audience. For example, Deaf poetry uses poetic devices (such as rhythm, rhyme and repetition), but often uses ASL in presentation (7). It utilizes movement—creating a dance of its own due to the flow and rhythm of the work. Here’s Peter Cook, an iconic ASL poet, exhibiting just this:
Ultimately, the goal of art is to make life more beautiful—and what is more beautiful than a community of people expressing themselves, their feelings, and their stories in manners rooted in their creative passions? I’ve presented only a select few artists as a taster, but there are thousands more Deaf and Hard of Hearing creators putting some of the most wonderful art out into the world for everyone to enjoy and learn from! Now, it’s time for you to explore—who knows, maybe you’ll find your next favourite artist!
Chuck Baird
Art no. 2, 1993
Acrylic on Canvas, 24” x 30”
References
Great job Mariane!!! 😍