This conversation invites you to delve into the practices of neurodivergent artists discussing how they explore access as a subject matter, the complexities of navigating institutional representation of neurodivergence and how artist-led practice can create space to transform this landscape. This conversation will be chaired by artist and consultant Jack Ky Tan.
The panellists include Abbas Zahedi and Theresa Lambert, an artist from Creative Growth.
What do we mean by ‘neurodiversity’?
We are currently working with the definition that ‘neurodiversity’ refers to the diversity of human minds and the infinite variation in neurocognitive functioning within our species. Neurodiversity is the idea that neurological differences, including diagnosis of autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or ADHD to name a few, are a normal part of human diversity rather than disorders.
What do we mean by ‘neurodivergent’?
We are current working with the definition that ‘neurodivergent’ means having a mind which differs from dominate societal understandings of “normative” neurocognitive functioning. This identifier covers a broad range of neurodivergent conditions, such as the ones mentioned above.
While the term neurodivergent is used here to refer to a range of conditions that affect a person’s neurocognitive functioning, we acknowledge that people may prefer to use other terms like learning difference, learning difficulty, or learning disability. The conversation around these terms is still very much live and therefore how we use these terms is a starting point to learn, build a greater understanding, and instigate change.
Throughout the run of the Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirror Rooms exhibition, Tate’s Public Programmes team ran a durational series of out of hours events that provided a relaxed viewing for disabled or neurodivergent, and any other visitors with sensory needs who preferred a more relaxed experience. Alongside the relaxed viewing, there was a series of artists who delivered workshops geared towards disabled or neurodivergent audiences.
Neurodiversity and Museums Today is part of a series of events produced in partnership with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. These events are part of the Terra Foundation for American Art Series: New Perspectives.
The event will be online and supported with live captioning and BSL interpretation. There will also be a moderator.
Theresa Lambert, Basket with felt flowers. Courtesy of the artist and Creative Growth.
Portrait of Theresa Lambert. Photography by Cheryl Dunn. Courtesy of the artist and Creative Growth.
Jack Ky Tan
Jack Ky Tan (b.1971, Singapore) is an interdisciplinary artist based in the UK. Working across, performance, sculpture, law and policy-making, his practice is an ongoing exploration of social justice that blurs the boundaries between, art, law, governance, and consultancy. Looking toward alternative cosmologies and knowledge systems that predate Judaeo-Christian or colonial narratives, Tan interrogates the legacies of colonialism with a particular interest in Commonwealth and Tropical epistemologies of resistance. By questioning how embedded societal structures form our laws and guide our behaviour, Tan's work attempts to rethink our entanglement with the human and more-than-human world, and looks towards alternative ways of living and working.
Tan originally studied and trained in law [LL.B (Hull), MA Social Justice(UCL)] and worked in British civil rights NGOs before obtaining a BA(Hons) in Ceramics at Harrow/Westminster University and an MA at the Royal College of Art. Jack then completed a practice-led PhD at Roehampton University where he explored legal aesthetics and performance art through his works Karaoke Court and Voices From The Courts. He has taught MA Sculpture at the Royal College of Art and MA Politics & Art at Goldsmiths.
Theresa Lambert
Theresa Lambert (born 1980, Creative Growth Art Center, 2003-present) works primarily in fiber arts, clay, and wood. From hand drawn patterns cut from cardboard she establishes the shapes and sizes for the parts of the imagined final piece. Like a puzzle she assembles or sews together the hand painted fabric or wooden pieces to create a thematic series of cats, dogs, unicorns, cats, flowers. She relies on the dexterity of her hands to communicate with American sign language and manipulate a variety of materials to express her love of colour, shiny objects, and the natural world.
Abbas Zahedi
Abbas Zahedi lives and works in London. Recent solo exhibitions include Nottingham Contemporary, UK (2023), CAPC, Bordeaux, France (2022-2023), Anonymous Gallery, New York (2022), Belmacz, London (2021), South London Gallery, London (2020). In 2022 he was awarded the Frieze Artist Award and has undertaken further projects at Eastside Projects, Birmingham UK (2023), Barbican Art Gallery, London (2022), Brent Biennial, London (2020, 2022), Whitechapel Gallery, London (2021). Zahedi’s works are included in the Tate collection as well as the Royal College of Art, London.
