Mind's Eye is a curatorial body that I founded with the aims to make art more accessible to both sighted and visually impaired people by challenging the strict etiquette of contemporary galleries. By exhibiting the work of blind artists in specially designed exhibitions, Mind's Eye encourage people to consider the other qualities of art, rather than its aesthetical value.
The creation of Mind's Eye was the result of months of research into the currently poor levels of accessibility in London galleries and museums. I began this project by interviewing Disability and Access Officers at London galleries; feedback revealed that London needs to provide better services for it to be an example of good accessibility. Therefore, I approached blind artists to enquire about their interest in my concept and I have been blessed to have the ongoing support of these talented artists ever since.
The project's aims:
- To improve the poor levels of intellectual and physical accessibility in London and help make London an internationally recognised city for its support of disability.
- To provide an accessible curatorial model for other galleries and museums to adopt.
- To promote alternative ways of thinking about art other than aesthetics.
- To reform current accessibility policies which are often based on misguided assumptions about what is 'good' for blind people.
- To provide the opportunity for blind people to believe in their artistic abilities and to help others celebrate our unique perceptions of art through conversation.