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Art and visual impairment sound like an absurd combination. After all, art is, for the most part, visual, which is what’s mainly hindered in visually impaired individuals.
However, “visual” doesn’t equate to precision, and art, as a rule, is unrestrained, leaving room for not only experimentation but freed creativity. Hence, just as how there are people with selective mutism and related disabilities advocating for the population, is there art for the visually impaired?
Who says there wouldn’t be?
Creativity is never limited to the seeing. Often, the best artists can be those who are perceptively hindered from creating something. They’re the ones that feel and deliver the most depth in the art they create. This is the problem with humanity. The biggest hindrance isn’t what people don’t know. It’s what they assume they don’t know and never try. All it takes for the blind to create is to get over limiting beliefs and start. Author, filmmaker, and journalist David Y. Block is a proud testament to this.
A New Medium of Art for the Visually Impaired
“Visually impaired individuals can never create good art.”
This would be one of the easiest assumptions to make regarding the disability. However, multiple famous blind artists have left enough impressions on society to shut this claim down.
A perfect eyesight is never a requirement for art.
Art for the visually impaired may require these individuals to find other mediums or establish personal processes they’re most comfortable to work with. But this impairment should never shut them out from creatively expressing themselves. They would have to work with what they have, which can be limiting, but from a different perspective, it can also be empowering.
Take it from renowned artists and painters whose visual impairment has contributed to shaping the paintings they’re known for. Instead of getting surgical treatments, most embraced their impairments and took advantage of them. Although effects and symptoms are translated in their paintings, the audience adored these “abnormalities,” as they’re not only a fresh take of art for the visually impaired but also a glimpse of these artists’ lives.
Undoubtedly, artists working around their visual impairments are an excellent symbol of resilience and determination. How do they do it?
A Closer Look at Creativity Despite Disability
Born Blind by David Block details the processes the author has done to get himself accustomed to art despite his disability. The book shares the author’s feelings and contemplations about being born blind but working in a creative field. A story that balances his traumas and triumphs, Born Blind finds the perfect harmony to make his readers empathize while empowering those living in similar manners.
He has documented his perception of the world, both in its expansive nature and the limited scope within his day-to-day routines. His story doesn’t only focus on losses but also victories—a wonderful equilibrium that captures the realities of the people who create art for the visually impaired.
If you’re interested in reading more of his story and correcting any misconceptions about what life is like with visual impairment, grab a copy of Born Blind.
Arts and Crafts for the Visually Impaired
It seems unfathomable what art for the visually impaired looks like. To ask these individuals to draw is like asking babies to walk. It can be challenging, but nothing in the situation makes it impossible. Art for the visually impaired can be tricky to maneuver. However, with slight adjustments to artistic structures and processes, it isn’t only possible, but others even make their pieces exceptional.
Examples of this are artists like Claude Monet with her cataracts, Auguste Renoir’s myopia, and even Leonardo da Vinci’s intermittent exotropia. Not to mention David Y. Block, who even made a testimony by becoming an incredible filmmaker.
What makes the situation surprising isn’t the fact that they can draw or be creative. Instead, it revolves around how they’re able to recognize what seeing people see and reflect it in their art.
These artists have proven that art for the visually impaired is possible. However, given their circumstances, a skeptical part of society would still question their capacity. Writing this article seems exaggerated to a certain few. It makes the impossible sound possible, but it actually is. It’s only society that’s making things overly complicated.
How Do Visually Impaired People Create Art?
“As for how I do my job? The truth is, in layman’s terms, the job of a film director is to translate the vision in his mind’s eye onto a screen for audiences. Now, my mind’s eye is not impaired, in any way. If anything, my imagination is more vivid than ever… Full sighted, partially sighted or legally blind like me, it’s all the same job.”
– Adam Morse on Huffpost UK
The answer is straightforward. The very reason why visually impaired people can create art on their own despite evident limitations is because the world caters to their needs.
Beyond art’s all-encompassing and non-discriminant nature, there are also enough technological advancements and societal accessibilities to help these people. There are sighted assistants ready to offer a helping hand to make art for the visually impaired possible. Not to mention, there are also multiple technological devices to help with the technical aspects of their endeavors.
Life doesn’t hinder people from becoming who they desire to be. It’s people holding themselves back from trying and challenging their limits.
Hence, the next time you’re hesitating on doing something or questioning your capacity over a certain activity, look at the paintings of Monet or da Vinci and realize that you’re competent enough to try.