Join us on Saturday, September 18th at 2 pm for an Artist Talk by On::View Artist in Residence Kellie Martin to discuss her project "Holding Storms!" The talk will be held in-person and broadcast via IG Live @sulfurstudios, and will be followed by a community workshop hosted by the artist.
Artist Workshop
“It’s so important to have deaf artists to be part of the art world, ensure they have full access, which means to provide interpreters, captioning, and to communicate effectively with deaf artists. It’s essential to have a dialogue about deaf queer artists' representations in the creative industry such as in arts, theatre, film, and music that can portray deaf people’s stories.”
— Kellie Martin
September is Deaf Awareness Month, which is perfect timing to expose what it is like be a deaf queer artist navigating in the hearing art world. In their workshop, Martin will use the residency space to engage with the community through teaching the basic sign American Sign Language for communication adjustment. They will educate the community on how to better interact with deaf people, sharing important tips on sensitivity and etiquette when one is meeting a deaf person for the first time. The artist will have an interpreter voice their presentation for the hearing audience while they present in American Sign Language.
"Holding Storms" Project Statement
“The key aims of this healing dialogue between deaf and hearing communities are to build a strong bridge between these different worlds, to create resources for each others’ futures, and to create acceptance of various identities.
“My artistic works are rooted in my exploration of the internal and external aspects of my queer, deaf, nonbinary identity. My art exposes its audience to the rawness of mental health, from the depths of subconsciousness to a place of consciousness. In my pieces, I aim for vulnerability as a deaf, queer, and nonbinary person navigating the hearing world. To me, being authentic is a way of reclaiming myself. My expression is rooted in my childhood traumas from the deep south, dealing with a lack of accessibility, and ignorance about deafness and queerness. “Holding Storms'' is a metaphor of the deepest of my internal and external identities that I have ridden with the storms throughout my life. Storms are always happening in our lives, and deserve admiration for their unrivaled magnificence internally.
“Lately, my work has been picking up traction based on the repetitive frustrations I experience in the hearing world. Many people are ignorant about interacting with deaf people, or any people with disabilities. I am trying to foster dialogues that matter with my online community, as I experiment with this new tool. I believe that powerful discussions about privilege help people to be empathetic towards others.”
— Kellie Martin
Artist Bio
Kellie Martin is a deaf, queer and non-binary artist and current graduate student in Creative Business Leadership at Savannah College of Art and Design. Their performance and visual works are rooted in the exploration of the internal and external aspects of their queer, deaf identity. Their work exposes its audience to the rawness and vulnerability of mental health, from the depths of subconsciousness to a place of consciousness. Being authentic is a way of reclaiming themselves. Martin’s expression is rooted in their childhood traumas from the deep south, dealing with a lack of accessibility, and ignorance about deafness and queerness.
***
"Holding Storms" will run from September 8th - October 3rd, 2021 in our residency space. There will be an Artist Talk followed by a workshop hosted by the artist on Saturday, September 18th at 2PM (in-person and simulcast via Sulfur Studios IG Live.) The Closing Reception will be held on Friday, October 1st from 5 - 9 pm in conjunction with First Fridays in Starland. Throughout the residency period, Martin will have open studio hours on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 12 - 5 pm; walk-ins are welcome.
