Liz Dempsey
Hidden Disabilities
I am an arts practitioner living with a hidden disability. I am a visual artist who loves using a lot of bright, vibrant colours and patterns in my artwork.
My arts practice and project work are strongly based on the themes of hidden disabilities and mental health, where I aim to use my creative skills to add positive messages and affirmations to each visual piece and create positive awareness of hidden disabilities and mental health.
Although we are living in a rapidly evolving digital world, I have a strong preference for working with traditional materials when it comes to art-making. This gives me more freedom with not only exploring colour palettes and compositions but also, I can experiment with a variety of textures and surfaces. I mostly work in a two-dimensional format although in recent months, I have began to branch out into working with product design, including badges and bags.
I understand from personal experience, that some daily activities and interactions can be very challenging and overwhelming for disabled people, especially if the disability is invisible to the public eye. I believe that society is moving in the right direction in terms of positivity and acceptance of hidden disabilities and mental health, but I think more stills needs to be done, which is why I am so passionate about raising awareness through visual mediums in my art practice.
Through my artwork, I want to show society that disabilities, hidden and physical, are no barrier for achieving your dreams and ambitions. Disability and mental health do not define anyone as people. My arts practice is my voice for when words may feel difficult to express and I am very thankful for what I have learnt and produced as an art student to get to where I am today as an arts practitioner.
