Glynn Vivian Art Gallery is delighted to present, Our Visual World: DeafNot, bringing together seven Deaf artists from across Wales. Each is a member of Our Visual World, presenting work that weaves together activism, identity, and personal narrative.
Through their work, the artists seek to challenge societal norms, celebrate Deaf identity, and offer audiences a chance to experience the world through a different lens - one shaped by visual language, resilience, and creativity. This exhibition is not only a celebration of creativity but also a powerful statement of visibility, and community.
Our Visual World is a vibrant and inclusive community dedicated to supporting Deaf Visual Artists across Wales. Emerging from the Connect and Flourish initiative - an Arts Council of Wales-supported project led by Jane Simpson and GS Artists - this network was born out of a desire to amplify Deaf voices in the visual arts. It fosters collaboration, visibility, and creative growth, providing a platform where Deaf artists can connect, share their work, and access opportunities tailored to their unique experiences and perspectives. Through advocacy, workshops, and exhibitions, Our Visual World is now led by Deaf artists and continues to build a more accessible and representative arts landscape in Wales.
Co-curated with Cardiff-based Caitlin Davies, whose curatorial practice focuses on access and collaboration, the exhibition features a diverse range of media - including installation, sculpture, painting, print, and photography - providing audiences with a rare and vital insight into Deaf culture and lived experience.
Featured Artists:
Emily Rose Corby
A Deaf Welsh visual artist working with mixed media, collage, and installation, Emily’s work delves into the emotional landscape of Deaf experience. Her immersive environments reflect the complexities of communication and sensory overwhelm. In 2025, she was awarded a Deaf & Disabled Arts Commission by Disability Arts Cymru and Arts Council Wales.
Kate Evans
A self-taught photographer since 2000, Kate’s documentary-style work captures the significance of life’s journey. Returning to her practice in recent years, she now experiments with mixed media to explore themes of time, memory, and identity. Kate is also a BSL tour guide and workshop facilitator with Our Visual World.
Natasha Hirst
Natasha’s work explores themes of loss, memory, and reclamation. Using a childhood photo and the metaphor of a magpie, she reflects on what has been taken from her—hearing, autonomy, and accessibility. Her photobook and poetic installations give voice to the shadows of her lived experience, while celebrating the resilience and beauty of Deaf life.
Alex Miller
Alex creates vibrant works using organic shapes, watercolour, textiles and screen printing. His art highlights the daily barriers faced by Deaf and minority communities, while also building bridges with mainstream audiences. Travel and cultural exploration are central to his practice, inspiring new connections and textile-based storytelling.
Clara Newman
Clara is an artist based in Glasinfryn, North Wales. She is currently studying Contemporary Design Crafts at Hereford College of Arts. Her work is material-led and she creates work around themes of movement, diatoms and deaf rights. She has presented her work at Deaf Gathering Cymru 2024, after working with the Hear We Are Project to create textile hands.
Melissa Payne
A profoundly Deaf artist maker, Melissa draws inspiration from the coastal landscapes of her childhood. Working across enamel, ceramics, glass, and textiles, her tactile, layered pieces reflect her sensory connection to the world and her deep-rooted sense of place and belonging.
Heather Williams
An interdisciplinary artist and co-founder of Deaf Gwdihŵ, Heather’s work explores the layered experiences of being a Deaf BSL user with ADHD. Her recent exhibitions include The Radical Joy of Unmasking at Cardiff Umbrella. Through her art, she interrogates the legacy of oralism and the ongoing silencing of sign language in society.
In partnership with GS Artists and Our Visual World.