Paintings Illustrate Issues of Life with Hidden Disabilities
Author: Alys Caviness-Gober
Published: 2016/07/17 - Updated: 2021/05/15
Topic: Disability Art and Artists - Publications List
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main
Synopsis: Original paintings by Alys Caviness-Gober that illustrate the issues of life with hidden disabilities. Alys' grant project consists of creating a series large-scale paintings that tell the story of the challenges faced by people with hidden disabilities.
Introduction
Noblesville resident and Hamilton County Artists' Association juried artist member Alys Caviness-Gober has been selected by The Indiana Arts Commission as a recipient of an IAP award for grant period July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017 (FY2017).
Main Content
Alys' grant project* consists of creating a series large-scale paintings that tell the story of the challenges faced by people with hidden disabilities. The grant covers the costs of materials, open houses and workshops, and an exhibit of the paintings.
Paintings Submitted as Part of the IAP Grant Application
"Parallel Lives" 16x20 textured acrylic - "Parallel Lives" represents two perspectives ~ which is the "normal" one? Is it the distorted one, or the "smooth" one? The viewer decides. Seeing the same world through two different perspectives can be literally two people, sometimes two ways of looking. (Inspired by a poem by Vince Schrader.)
"Brothers" 11x14 textured acrylic - "Brothers" represents duality. It also represents literal brothers (I have two, my father had one) and the dual nature in all humans. One may shelter the other. As a Gemini, I've always felt the duality that the twins Castor and Pollux represent.
"Force of Nature" 36x48 - textured acrylic - "Force Of Nature" represents strength. The tree has grown out of a rocky precipice, and stands alone, branches grown blown back by steady winds. Within the beauty of life, there is pain, obstacles, disabilities. The strong persevere.
"Addiction" 18x24 textured acrylic - This painting illustrates the highs and lows associated with the promises and betrayals of any addiction. Anything can be an addiction ~ irresistibly beautiful, compelling, and potentially destructive. Addiction was chosen as a Finalist in the Abstract/Experimental category of The Artist's Magazine 31st Annual Art Competition, and can be seen a Logan Street Sanctuary (Noblesville).
"My Window" 11x14 textured acrylic - "My Window" represents my life. With a lifelong illness, I often see life through a window, figuratively and literally: changing seasons, children at play, neighbors leaving for work and returning home later ~ I see life play out, all whilst I remain ill, "stuck" behind the glass. My Window was selected as the title image for the Nickel Plate Arts' exhibit, "The Great Abstract" (2015).
*This activity made possible, in part, with support from the Indiana Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Alys Caviness-Gober and published on 2016/07/17, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.