Joe McConnell
Joe is a disabled Irish writer and emerging-better-late-than-never visual artist living in the UK since the 1970s. While increasingly alienated and terrified by the clap-trap of the capitalist mainstream and the warmongering of successive governments, his heart fills ever-deeper with amazement at the unique mystical meeting place of world cultures that is London.
22 October 2011
Hearing future voices?
Growing up from the 1950s until now, I can hear an ocean of voices in my head. Telling me all sorts of things in a universe of different ways: right, left, centre - all points of the compass and...Comments: 5
5 October 2011
Living in hope?
The Creative Case for Diversity conference seems to transmit a rather optimistic view for the future. Several contributors clearly look forward to a future where equality prevails. I wonder how many...Comments: 2
29 September 2011
Amuigh faoin spéir
I came to London in July 1976. With £10 in my pocket. So, not surprisingly, I was to spend a considerable time living 'amuigh faoin spéir' - which is the Irish for 'out under the...Comments: 0
25 September 2011
Speaking for ourselves
Facilitation is a key issue in the world of disability and art. Many of us disabled artists require it in one shape or form. There is full artistic partnership where both artists are combining their...Comments: 3
15 September 2011
Is 'integralism' the new invisibility?
I enjoyed Amardeep Sohi's evaluation of the Creative Case mission and her quote from Hassan Mahamdallie 'Let’s just have a conversation on art and have the true value of diversity at the heart...Comments: 9
13 September 2011
The Sound of Silence 2011
The 29.6% cuts waged by the UK government on arts funding is yet another factor inevitably dragging the art world ever deeper into the uncertain world of corporate sponsorship. Artists and arts...Comments: 3
7 September 2011
Coming out to the Outside
If the induction into the world of the kora, blues guitar and many other musical wonders to be heard in and around London was smooth and sweet, the entry into the arts movement commonly known as...Comments: 5
6 September 2011
From Bamako to Basin Street and back without leaving London
Mid-November 1999: A couple of months after narrowly escaping a forceful offer of Electro Convulsive Therapy at the hands of the NHS. A friend dragged my very sorry self to London’s Royal...Comments: 6