Date of Award

2025

Document Type

MA Project - Restricted Access (SIA Only)

Project Type

MA Project - Curatorial Proposal

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Contemporary Art

First Advisor

Agnes Berecz

Second Advisor

Maria Sancho-Arroyo

Abstract

Unique Minds: An Exhibition by People with Learning Differences for People with Learning Differences is a groundbreaking exhibition aiming to shift the narrative surrounding learning differences. The exhibition seeks to reframe the stigmas that have long been associated with learning differences and celebrate the gifts and "superpowers" that accompany these diagnoses. It highlights the creativity, resilience, and unique perspectives of individuals who navigate the world with learning differences, showcasing their strengths through powerful art from a multitude of mediums. At the heart of the exhibition is the representation of seven female artists, each bringing a distinctive background and experience shaped by their individual experience with learning differences. By centering female artists in this show, Unique Minds aims to give underrepresented voices a platform within the context of learning differences. The works on display are representations of empowerment, individuality, and transformation. These artists use their experiences and gifts they received from their learning differences to inform and drive their creative processes, resulting in pieces that are raw, emotionally charged, and deeply personal. Through their work, they challenge the conventional idea that learning differences are a hindrance, instead showcasing them as integral to their creative processes and perspectives. The exhibition features works in various media such as painting, sculpture, and mixed media—that address the complexities of life with learning differences. These works break down the traditional perceptions of what it means to be a woman and to live with a 4 learning difference, while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of popular culture and decorative art. The artists in Unique Minds challenge societal expectations and utilize their distinctive approaches to creativity, thereby reshaping how we think about art, learning, and identity. The inclusion of women artists in Unique Minds is a deliberate effort to center female voices within a largely male-dominated art world, particularly for those with learning differences. Historically, women with learning differences have been overlooked or misdiagnosed, their struggles and talents misunderstood. This exhibition seeks to change that by spotlighting the work of these remarkable women and placing them at the forefront of a larger conversation about inclusion, diversity, and empowerment. In doing so, Unique Minds aims to provide a platform for these artists to share their stories and for audiences to witness the beauty, creativity, and strength that can arise from their experiences. This exhibition encourages viewers—whether they identify as having learning differences or not—to rethink how they perceive these challenges. Instead of framing learning differences as limitations, Unique Minds encourages the audience to see them as sources of power, leading to creative breakthroughs, innovative solutions, and deeper empathy. Through these artists' work, viewers will be invited to embrace the struggles associated with learning differences while celebrating the superpowers that come with them. By shifting the conversation and telling the stories of female artists who navigate these differences, Unique Minds aims to inspire others to recognize their own potential, unearthing their own unique gifts in the process.

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