EXHIBITION | FEEL

Drawing on the powerful legislation of The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the multi-sensory artwork of FEEL raises questions about history, access, transformation, freedom, sensory input, light and dark, and above all highlights the absence or marginalization of communities who have long been denied representation within arts realms. I will exhibit six, 2D and 3D artworks at the ICC in Belfast, Ireland during the two-day summit. These works are interactive, with sound, touch, Braille, LED lighting, and visuals. As the newest Harkin Institute Fellow, Wells will challenge for change using an arts-led community dialogue initiative and engage in global discourses around key issues of arts, culture, accessible arts, and accessibility.

PHOTO BY: JILL WELLS - Opening Reception

In this image, a BIPOC 40-year young male who is living with blindness and brain trauma interact with a touch-activated soundboard at the opening reception of the exhibition FEEL. He is wearing headphones to hear the different sounds his touch activates. He has short dark hair and a colorful dress shirt on. Behind him stands a Caucasian mid-aged woman, his Mother, who is there to assist, is wearing a pink cardigan, colorful blouse, glasses, hoop earrings, and has short sandy-blond hair.

PHOTO BY: LEE TOWE - Opening Reception

In this image, a Caucasian young woman interacts with an 8"x8" multimedia Braille label lightbox constructed out of pine cradled canvases and LED lights. Surrounding the lightbox are numerous, multicolored Braille butterflies that represent transformation The Braille on the surface repeats itself from the top to the bottom of the lightbox and reads "REPRESENTATION". The Artist has drilled tiny holes through one row of the Braille dots to allow a small amount of light through the holes from the LED lights behind the lightbox. The woman has a maroon off-the-shoulder sweater, a black scarf, and a mini top ponytail. The underneath portion of her hair is shaved off.