DAN (Disabled Artists' Network)
DAN was a continuation of Wolf Photography's project 'Living with PTSD' which was a series of exhibitions and workshops funded by Arts Council England and The National Lottery. You can find out more about the former exhibition and activities on http://www.wolf-photography.com/html/exhibition_lwptsd.html.
DAN was run to further promote creativity as a coping mechanism for disability from 2015 to 2024. The project has now closed down.
Project Purpose was
To provide online resources for artists
To evidence creativity as a coping mechanism for disability or to provide a sense of well-being
To raise awareness of disabilities, particularly mental health
To fight the stigma people with disabiities face, particulary those with invisible wounds
To help disabled and non-disabled artists establish a track record as exhibitors in order to develop a career in the Arts
To hold informal art activities for people
DAN was funded by my father and friends, as well as myself.
Our first exhibition venue was the ICCA in Nottingham before moving to Bulwell. DAN was converted to a digital gallery during Covid, in order to reduce the risk of infection to our members with disabilities. There was an additional benefit, artists didn't have to attend the venue for install days and it opened up an opportunity for artists with disabilities to anyone with a mobile phone, anywhere in the world. You can see some images from the project by clicking here.
I would like to thank al the artists that took part in the project and all the volunteers and companies that supported me over the years.
All the best
Villayat ‘Wolf’ Sunkmanitu
Proprietor – Wolf Photography