Impaired Perceptions

I am excited to announce that I will be showing my Impaired Perceptions series at Art Inspired in Springfield, Missouri.  Art Inspired is a nonprofit organization that recycles wood and paper into art frames, stationary, greeting cards and home décor.  They also employ and advocate for the developmentally challenged. The show will open on September 6^th and stay up through the first week in October.  

I will be presenting a lecture on the work during the opening reception.  In my presentation I will be discussing the experiences in my life that led me to create the work, ableism in our history and culture, and the work itself.  When I started Impaired Perceptions I was merely venting my frustrations with how I was being perceived, because of my physical impairment, but when other people joined in by participating as models, and sharing their stories it became something much bigger.  When Impaired Perceptions was featured on CNN I heard from countless physically challenged and able-bodied people who were touched and inspired by the work.  I realized that the series could do something much more powerful than challenge people’s perceptions; it could inspire, and give hope to others.  I decided to put together a traveling show and wrote Impaired Perceptions: Portraits of Humanity, a book that shows the work, and delves into the ideas behind it to enable people to further experience the project.  

I am happy to announce that I am beginning Impaired Perceptions’ journey as a traveling show with Art Inspired.  Art Inspired is located at 310 S Campbell Ave Springfield, Missouri.  To learn more about the project visit www.briancharlessteelphotography.com