For Daisy Lafarge, creating art while confined to a floor by excruciating pain became an exercise in survival and self-expression.
In the midst of her debilitating Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a condition that affects connective tissue, Lafarge found solace in painting using basic materials such as paper, paints, and kinesiology tape – an adhesive she uses to provide support to her joints. The unique remnants left behind by cutting the tape became decorative elements in her works.
Inspired by William Blake's "The Sick Rose" and 13th-century text "The Romance of the Rose," Lafarge crafted a poem cycle exploring courtly love and the characterisation of pain as an 'intoxicating, sometimes quite violent' lover. Her paintings – a diverse range of subjects including her cat Uisce, PlayStation controller, and unsettling images of enclosed gardens – coalesced into an allegorical story about relationships.
Lafarge's art is part of the exhibition We Contain Multitudes at Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre. This show brings together four artists with disabilities – Nnena Kalu, Jo Longhurst, Andrew Gannon, and Lafarge herself – each tackling the subject of disability in distinct ways.
Critics praise the show for challenging preconceptions about disabled artists, encouraging audiences to reevaluate assumptions. For Lafarge, however, exhibitions like We Contain Multitudes can also serve as a platform to raise awareness and promote inclusion.
A pressing concern for Lafarge is the need to address systemic barriers faced by people with disabilities. She believes that exhibitions should not only showcase art but also inspire meaningful change. "You don't have to be disabled to engage with this work," Lafarge says, diminishing the idea of her art being exclusively related to disability.
Lafarge's own experience with identity and disability has led her to question societal expectations around self-identification. She argues that people should not feel pressured to outwardly express their disability status, as it can be a personal choice.
Ultimately, Lafarge hopes that her paintings and poems will speak to people regardless of any physical ability – diminishing the notion that art related to disability is only for those who have experienced it directly.
In the midst of her debilitating Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a condition that affects connective tissue, Lafarge found solace in painting using basic materials such as paper, paints, and kinesiology tape – an adhesive she uses to provide support to her joints. The unique remnants left behind by cutting the tape became decorative elements in her works.
Inspired by William Blake's "The Sick Rose" and 13th-century text "The Romance of the Rose," Lafarge crafted a poem cycle exploring courtly love and the characterisation of pain as an 'intoxicating, sometimes quite violent' lover. Her paintings – a diverse range of subjects including her cat Uisce, PlayStation controller, and unsettling images of enclosed gardens – coalesced into an allegorical story about relationships.
Lafarge's art is part of the exhibition We Contain Multitudes at Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre. This show brings together four artists with disabilities – Nnena Kalu, Jo Longhurst, Andrew Gannon, and Lafarge herself – each tackling the subject of disability in distinct ways.
Critics praise the show for challenging preconceptions about disabled artists, encouraging audiences to reevaluate assumptions. For Lafarge, however, exhibitions like We Contain Multitudes can also serve as a platform to raise awareness and promote inclusion.
A pressing concern for Lafarge is the need to address systemic barriers faced by people with disabilities. She believes that exhibitions should not only showcase art but also inspire meaningful change. "You don't have to be disabled to engage with this work," Lafarge says, diminishing the idea of her art being exclusively related to disability.
Lafarge's own experience with identity and disability has led her to question societal expectations around self-identification. She argues that people should not feel pressured to outwardly express their disability status, as it can be a personal choice.
Ultimately, Lafarge hopes that her paintings and poems will speak to people regardless of any physical ability – diminishing the notion that art related to disability is only for those who have experienced it directly.
. The way she uses pain as a creative outlet, turning something difficult into art, is so empowering 
. I love how her paintings are not just about disability but also about relationships and self-expression 
. It's like, we don't have to be defined by our bodies, you know? 
... i mean, creating art while dealing with such chronic pain is already a huge accomplishment 
... what i love about her approach is how she's not just making art about being disabled, but also about the human experience 
... her message about not feeling pressured to share your disability status is so important 
... we need more people like her who are using their platforms to promote inclusivity and understanding 
I'm definitely down to give her show a visit - I love how it's bringing together artists with disabilities and challenging those preconceptions about who gets to create and share their work 
. We should all strive to create a world where people with disabilities feel seen, heard, and included, rather than having their art defined by their disability status 
- who knew it could be art?! The fact that exhibitions like this are bringing together artists with disabilities to challenge preconceptions is super important 
. Her use of kinesiology tape as a creative medium is genius 
.
. We need more conversations like these to create meaningful change & inspire a more inclusive world 
Her use of kinesiology tape as a material is genius, and I love how she incorporates those remnants into her artwork – it's like she's giving the beauty in pain its own voice. 
. I mean, think about it - if we're gonna showcase artists with disabilities, we gotta also talk about the systemic barriers they face. It's like, we can't just create a platform for them to express themselves without acknowledging the obstacles that come with having a disability. That's like, the ultimate paradox of inclusivity 
.
and it got me thinking about how people assume that disability is something to be pitied or seen as 'inspirational'. Like, we get it, life's tough for some folks, but let's not forget that disability is just one part of who someone is. I mean, I've seen some cool art pieces made by people with disabilities online and I'm like, "wow, this person has so much talent and stuff" 
It's all about redefining what we consider "art" and how it relates to disability. And I think that's kinda cool... 
. These artists are showing us that art is for everyone, regardless of ability or identity. And, you know, exhibitions like these can spark meaningful conversations and inspire change 
. But, at the same time, I'm also thinking that maybe we need to be more careful not to tokenize people with disabilities 
.
And her paintings are so vivid and emotional, it's like you're right there in the enclosed garden with her 
.
.
. It's like she took all this pain and turned it into something beautiful... like a work of art 
! It's so important to showcase artists with disabilities, we need more platforms like this one where they can share their perspectives and experiences 
.