DWMHA 2025 Virtual Art Show | Disability EmpowHer

Disabled Women Make History and Art Virtual Art Show.JPG

Click on the picture of the artwork to learn more about the artist and their piece in their own words.

Join us for a celebration of our virtual artists on June 20th on Zoom.

Taurus is a painting on a horizontal, rectangular canvas. Swirling creams, peaches, white and oranges mirror eachother from the center of the canvas, abstractly representing a pelvic bone. From beyond the center, melting into beiges, pale pinks and vibrant shades of blue, light blue, soft periwinkles and subtle greens.

Taurus by Alicia Parham

In the winter of 2021, I was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition that would ultimately damage my eyesight, causing me to experience floaters, and require 5 brain surgeries to prevent the progression. As I experienced these procedures, I felt a call to paint. At the time, I was working on my BFA, and playing around with compositions that used images, distorted with music via a program called Touch Designer. As I tried to translate these compositions to the canvas, I noticed green splotches, or blue hazes which I would go to fix, and realize only existed in my reality. After fighting them, I began incorporating the "floaters" or visual phenomena I was experiencing. This led to my first solo Show "Introvenus" which is a reference back to the intravenous brain implant which has improved my quality of life. My work now explores the intersection of neuroscience and fine arts, using EEG Neurofeedback machines, bespoke computer programs, and collaborations with musicians.

This abstract, multimedia art was inspired by hanging wisteria blooms. Lilac, rose, and periwinkle watercolor drips are scattered with salt along with lemon, tangerine, and spring green accents. Deeper shades of watercolor, acrylic and color pencil are integrated to create the flower blooms while blurred green lines form its greenery. But from the flower splashes a giant three-quarter outline of an elephant emerges, its ears, trunk, legs and body defined by lights and darks of the hanging blooms, the curves of the petals and stem, and the empty white areas of the paper. Hence the title, “The Elephant in the Wisteria”.

The Elephant in the Wisteria by Amy Everett

Yes, the title is a reference to the elephant in the room metaphor. This image began as a watercolor blur of wisteria blooms. When an elephant emerged in the shapes, I chose to emphasize this illusion. Some of us have hidden disabilities, others are overt, and still more think they are hiding their disability better than they are. But disabilities can strengthen our personalities and help us to recognize who and what are truly important in our lives. The title also references how many of us prefer to hide rather than share our disability, furthering the idea that a disability is something to be ashamed of when, ideally, sharing our struggles can spread knowledge and enhance acceptability.

Monochrome painting, grey flat background with the focus on an empty powerchair with footplates open, and a pair of black and white shoes placed on the floor in front of the powerchair. The colours include black, white and grey tones.

Empty Powerchair by Amy Lee-Julian

This painting aims to challenge society's misperceptions of disability. The purpose is to confront the audience and highlight the continued struggles that disabled people face. Many disabled people feel not seen and invisible; the empty powerchair represents this emotion, how some people tend to see the powerchair and not the person. The open footplates invites people to sit in the chair, like walking in my shoes, to have a glimpse into the lived experience. The shoes metaphorically represents the presence of a person once there, an attempt to humanise disability. I purposefully used a monochromatic colour palette for impact.

Abstract drawing of an irregular shaped sphere in thick yellow and black, with multiple thread-like lines overlapping inside the sphere. At the center of the sphere, there is a reddish mass with yellow and white protein sequence letters in small print pasted on it.

The following fragments of words are pasted onto different areas of the sphere: “Because: i had severe. i had pelvic. i had i had. irregular. i felt. more. than usual. i spent. time. in or due to. pain. i had. i felt. i had. difficulties. i had to. i was. i was by pain. i thought about having a—".

Because of My Endometriosis by Ashwini Bhasi

I use biomedical data, poetry, drawing and collage to document the emotional and visceral experiences of chronic illness in all its chaos and complexity. The shapes, lines, textures and stream of consciousness writing in my work are created through somatic practices.
“Because of my Endometriosis” explores the somatic experiences of chronic pain and disability caused by Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis (DIE).

While I’ve been suffering from endometriosis symptoms for over twenty years, I received an official diagnosis of this condition only in July 2021, by which time the condition had progressed to a complicated state. Such a long delay in diagnosis is sadly common. There is no cure for endometriosis and there are only a few viable treatment options. Endometriosis patients often deal with misdiagnosis, medical gaslighting, lifelong pain, failed treatments, multiple complex surgeries, infertility, social stigma, disability, mental health issues and medical debt.

“Because of my Endometriosis” is as an attempt to translate the lived experience of endometriosis and to document the insensible suffering it causes. Emotions, bodily sensations and perseverations were allowed to flow unfiltered from limbic system to fingertips to create these drawings. The process acted as a form of raw release of cellular memory. A way to override the limitations of the analytical brain and its inability to fully release unprocessed suffering trapped in the mind and body. The aim was to capture the raw integrity of the suffering.

Sequence fragments collaged in this work are from SRP14 protein, an endometriosis molecular biomarker. The text/words within the work are an erasure poem created using the Endometriosis Impact Questionnaire (EIQ), a research tool developed by Moradi, Mariam et al. (BMC Womens Health. 2019; Pubmed ID: 31088434) to assess the devastating long-term effects of Endometriosis on a person’s quality of life.

The artwork is a mixed media composition that blends graphic design and photography. It features an image of the artist herself, a woman with a strong, expressive presence. The background incorporates abstract, layered patterns, symbolizing the complexity of neurodivergence and the experience of living with ADHD. The artist’s face is partially framed by vibrant colors and dynamic shapes, conveying both the chaos and beauty of her inner world. The piece uses bold contrasts and textures to evoke the intensity of the emotions and struggles faced, while also celebrating empowerment and self-expression.

adhDEE by Dee Mistify

This mixed media piece blends graphic design and photography, created by Dee Mistify — a model, writer, and creator who advocates for embracing differences. Through this work, Dee explores the multifaceted experience of being a woman diagnosed with ADHD later in life.

The piece reflects the unique challenges and revelations that come with such a diagnosis, including the struggle to balance creativity, self-perception, and societal expectations. The work embodies the chaos, beauty, and freedom that ADHD brings to her world, using design and imagery to express how these internal experiences manifest in everyday life.

Dee’s creativity has been a vital tool for understanding and re-framing her personal journey.

This piece serves as both a reflection on the complexities of neurodivergence and a powerful expression of self-empowerment. It is also a statement for other women with disabilities, offering a space to be seen, heard, and validated through the lens of art.

A colorful painting shows two disabled women in conversation—one seated in a wheelchair, the other standing with a pink cane. They smile and face each other against a vintage blueprint background. The artwork blends expressive figures with architectural lines, symbolizing Crip Solidarity and inclusion.

Amigas by Genevieve Ramos

Amigas is painted on a vintage blueprint—an intentional choice to symbolize the foundational structures of society: its policies, systems, and assumptions. Blueprints represent plans for the future, yet too often, these plans are drawn without considering disabled lives, rendering us an afterthought in the grand design. By using this as my canvas, I critique that exclusion and imagine what it means to center disability from the very beginning.

The figures depicted—myself and Reveca—are not only representations of friendship and Crip Solidarity, but also symbols of visibility and resilience. Our forms are expressive, alive, and defiant, disrupting the cold, rigid lines of the blueprint beneath us. Our presence on this backdrop demands recognition and integration. We do not conform to the existing framework—we transform it. Through this work, I invite viewers to confront the beauty, power, and necessity of disability in shaping a more inclusive world.

This image is a photograph of the Artist of the piece, Jen Nofziger, who is a slender female, wearing a white shirt, jeans, and a black baseball cap turned backwards. She is leaning against the wall. The picture is split in half. One the left half of the piece, there are colors projected on top of Jen's image. The colors are reds, greens and pinks. Also projected in the top left corner are the words, "I am Not." Then on top of her image are the words like, "stupid, mean, angry, disabled, disrespectful, creepy, lonely, fake, insecure, liar, sad, smoker, drinker."

The other side of the photo is split by a white line, resembling lighting strikes. This side is in gray and white tones. It features another photograph of Jen against the wall. For this one, she is facing to the right a little. On this image, all the words are projected over her white shirt in black. These words contrast the other side. The projection says, "I am...caring, focused, helpful, respectful, dependable, positive, a hard-worker, optimistic, talented, motivated, special, and tough."

I AM... by Jen Nofziber

This piece is projection photography. It is titled, "I AM..." It explores the contrast between truth and lies regarding labels, abilities and self-esteem. It is able to connect to us each on some level with our internal and external battles. Through this piece, I hope you are able to see your gifting more clearly and that your own projection speaks of all the wonderful things you are!

Abstract painting consisting of beige background with shades of blue, teal, peach, terra cotta and white shapes. Multidirectional lines throughout made with oil pastel and charcoal along with small triangle shapes displaying a message of organized and colorful chaos.

Communication by Kelly Meiners, PhD

I used to thrive in loud, busy environments. I loved being in a crowd, surrounded by friends and listening to music. The more stimulus, the more I felt alive.
Since my brain injury caused by COVID-19, any mild stimulus- noise, light, touch, can cause immense pain and profound cognitive impairment. Though I’ve improved over the past 3.5 years, still the sound of a bird singing, or a background song from a tv commercial can be quite unsettling. Worst yet are multiple competing stimuli. Trying to hold a conversation with someone with other visual or auditory distractions is almost impossible. Minor things such as other conversations, background music, or the sound of wind in the trees suddenly all overwhelm my brain and I become severely confused, unable to understand what someone is trying to say to me. Often I forget who the person is who is talking to me even though they may be a close friend. My brain is no longer able to focus on one thing and is overwhelmed by every sight and sound around me. I’m hopeful for a day when my brain is healed and I can again enjoy a busy life, filled with people and all the world has to offer.

Field of sunflowers in media, size, and texture.
Blue sky with wispy clouds, butterflies, bees and ladybugs.
Rocky soil origami photo paper with strip of brown flocking to separate background of green Origami photo paper.

Or this more detailed Discription to give more depth for some who can see I want the to be as engaged as if they could see it
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Here's a description of the artwork:
The artwork features a vibrant and textured depiction of sunflowers against a bright blue background with fluffy white clouds. The sunflowers are crafted from various materials, giving them a three-dimensional effect.

* Background: The top portion is blue, suggesting a sky, with white, cloud-like shapes scattered across it. A small, stylized sun with the words "Be the sunshine" is positioned near the top.

* Sunflowers: Several sunflowers are arranged at different heights. The largest sunflower, on the right, has large yellow petals and a dark brown, textured center. Other sunflowers display a variety of materials in their centers, including seeds. The stems are green and textured, adding depth.

* Additional elements: Green leaves, also with a textured appearance, extend from the stems. Small butterfly shapes are scattered among the flowers. The bottom edge of the artwork depicts a textured ground with small stones and green foliage. Text is present in the lower portion of the artwork, with the words "NOT ALL DISABILITIES ARE VISIBLE" being clearly legible.

The artwork combines bright colors, varied textures, and uplifting messages to create a cheerful and visually engaging piece.

The Garden of my life by Krista Koehler

My project represents the GARDEN OF MY LIFE
I used the following facts about Sunflowers to form my design concept:
-The sun gives nourishment and stimulates growth to the flower as it follows
the sun across the sky.
-They can grow in a variety of soil types.
-When it is deeply watered it will develop deep roots.
-Sunflowers can grow strong and tall in adversity.

The rocky soil depicts obstacles and adversity I’ve had to overcome.
Through love and encouragement from family and friends and a strong
Support system including Disability Network, I was able to develop deep roots
of trust, endurance, along with perseverance and am learning to stand strong and tall in adversity. The pieces that are of side of the canvas represents that we don’t have to be tied down by our disabilities instead we should embrace them because they give us new ways to see the world differently and change it by learning who we are and how our disabilities give us a unique view of the world.

One origami sun flower represents my Invisible neurological Disabilities.

A multi colored origami flower along with the variety of colors, shapes and designs in my piece represent the variety of individuals I met with different culture, customs, strengths and impairments; and the variety of programs and people behind them.

The last origami flower that has an expressively different petal represents my growing in to who I am as a person.

“Be Your Own Sunshine”
This is a reminder to let your uniqueness shine through spreading
seeds of acceptance, and encouragement to others along the way.

Ariadne's Thread by Laura Atkins

In Greek Mythology, Ariadne, King Minos’ daughter, is standing in the foreground holding a black and white umbrella. She helped Theseus escape the labyrinth where the deadly Minotaur, dwelt, by giving him a red twine. She wears a small Minotaur pendant and the black and white umbrella represents the sails on Theseus’ ship, which is standing by to take him home after he defeats the Minotaur. The fire represents both the passionate feelings Ariadne had for Theseus and also the Sun’s rays that melted the wings of Icarus, who was the Son of the Labyrinth’s creator, Daedalus. The loss of Daedalus’ Son is the catalyst for Daedalus revealing to Ariadne an escape from the labyrinth. Oil on panel.