Visual impairment as Subject

Thanks to many organizations such as Beyond Sight and the Department of Cultural Affairs NYC, art is more accessible to many people including those with visual and physical impairments. Also, more museums, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, now offer ways for the visually impaired to be up close with art through programs that allow participants to touch the artwork. As art evolves, artists too evolve in their practice and what they want from their art for their community.

Artist, Yvonne Shortt, is one of those artists whose practice is evolving. Ms. Shortt, self proclaimed Queens-Artist-in-Residence, wants more from her artwork; inclusion of subjects in art who like her are visually impaired. “I want my niece to know she’s not alone. I want to know I’m not alone. There are millions who use a cane or dog as guides and I’m painting for them, those who come in contact with them, and myself.” Starting next month murals and public art will be going up around the community where the subjects are ones not often painted in the art world. Also, in March Ms. Shortt will be holding sessions in Rosenthal Library at Queens College on the 6th floor to discuss how one can bring more diverse subjects into the main stream in the art community and in her own community.