sources

"Deaf Culture Art / Deaf Art." . N.p., 2088. Web. 7 Apr 2012. http://www.start-american-sign-la nguage.com/deaf-culture-art.html.

Mad Artist, Deaf Artists in American History. N.p., 2012. Web. 7 Apr 2012. <http://maddartist.hubpages.com/hub/Deaf-Artists-in-American-History>.

 N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Apr 2012. <http://deafness.about.com/od/deafculture/a/deafart.htm>.

In this piece, the artist has replaced the warning inscription inside of the hearing aid to read "Warning: Life void if a deaf person does not use this aid."

Through this simple piece the artist is able to portay how he or she feels about hearing aids, and changing if Deaf people can hear or not. Many artists address this topic as well as cochlear implants through art. It is a wonderful way for them to express their thoughts and feelings on the topic.

De’VIA

De'VIA is short for Deaf View Image Art. This term does not relate to the deaf artist, but to the art itself. It states in the manifesto "It uses formal art elements with the intention of expressing innate cultural or physical Deaf experience. These experiences may include Deaf metaphors, Deaf perspectives, and Deaf insight in relationship with the environment (both the natural world and Deaf cultural environment), spiritual and everyday life."

As a result of this Deaf people began to express their feelings and experiences through their art. Many artists began to express the challenges of being deaf in a hearing world.

The History

As Deaf Art began in the 1760's-1800's the first deaf artists in America usually painted portraits of American settlers in an attempt to be recognized in the new world. They usually painted in the style of English artists since there wasn’t yet an American art style. As there were no museums or guidance, the artists taught themselves. Deaf artists from that time, including William Mercer, the first known Deaf American artist, usually painted portraits or scenes of the times including Civil War scenes and Native American and “New West” way of life.

These artists usually tried to make a living painting portraits for wealthier people and some were travelers going from town to town to paint portraits.  Many of the earlier deaf artists never even knew another deaf person., as a result they painted in the same way as hearing artists. The American colonial artists in the book were lucky enough to be born into families who could afford education.

As America continued to develop, more artist began to study art abroad.John Carlin was the first Deaf American artist to study abroad. The first Deaf photographer was Theophilus Hope D’Estrella , not too long after photography was invented.

In 1989, after a festival known as The Deaf Way, an artist named Betty G. Miller began a new Deaf Art movement which defined in a written and visual manifesto which became known as the De’VIA movement.

Incorporating the Hand

Deaf Art really intriques me becuase I love to see how artists can take a word in sign language and put it on to paper. In high school I was given the oppotunity to paint my hands to make a work in ASL. That is when I began to realize that there truly is something differnet about Deaf Art. Artists take the hand shape used in the sign, as well as the orientation and create a masterpiece base on those aspects.

America

 Cat

 Tree

 Sunflower

Bones

Popular Pieces

What is Deaf Art?

American Sign Language is a visual language and therefore is not written. As a result of this, it would make sense that the Deaf community would have a love of visual arts. There are many famous Deaf artists who have continually and accurately portrayed the Deaf experience on their media of choice. Deaf culture itself is even passed down "verbally" through storytelling, theatre, and performances--not through books like the hearing culture.

"Deaf culture art is more than just a painting or a drawing. It brings the Deaf community together. Deaf culture art puts the feelings that many Deaf people experience on canvas."