Sue Austin
Sue Austin | |
---|---|
Plymouth University, Swansea University | |
Known for | Contemporary Art |
Notable work | "Creating the Spectacle!" (2012), "Freewheeling, Present and Absent" (2009), "360 Degrees – A New Angle on Access" (2015) |
Movement | Disability art |
Susan Felicity Austin (born 7 September 1965) is a British disabled artist working in multimedia, performance and installation.[1] Austin is best known for her work "Creating the Spectacle!" in which she uses a specially modified wheelchair to move underwater, using scuba diving equipment; it was performed as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.[2] Austin's underwater wheelchair has been seen by more than 150 million people worldwide.[3] Austin lives in Devon, south west England.[4]
Early life and education
Austin studied BSc Hons. Psychology at the
In 1996, she began using a wheelchair after an extended illness limited her mobility.[7] She trained as a disabled diver in 2005, and has certifications from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors.[5][7]
Artistic career
Austin has said her artistic practice considers "the effects of a
In 2013 Austin told the
Exhibitions
Exhibitions of Austin's work have been featured at Faith House at Holton Lee,
Talks and presentations
In December 2012 Austin was filmed for
List of major works
- "360 Degrees – A New Angle on Access" (2015-ongoing). This project uses 360 degree technology to create digital artworks.
- "Flying Free" (ongoing). A digital artwork co-commissioned by Unlimited and The Space which features footage of Austin and her wheelchair taking to the skies in a Flexwing Microlite vehicle.
- "Creating the Spectacle!" (2012). A series of live art and filmed performances of Austin's underwater wheelchair commissioned by Unlimited for the 2012 Cultural Olympiad.
- "Freewheeling, Present and Absent" (2009). A trail painted throughout the Plymouth city centre by Austin using her wheelchair. Austin said of the work "By exploring the subjective narratives created by my use of the wheelchair and the traces it leaves, I hope to reconfigure the preconceptions of the viewer and lead to a revaluing of the wheelchair".[17]
References
- ^ "About Sue Austin". We Are Freewheeling. Archived from the original on 24 July 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
- ^ Kleinman, Zoe (27 August 2012). "Underwater wheelchair put to test ahead of Paralympics". BBC News. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
- ^ Sharratt, Chris. "Digital R&D Fund #5: An underwater wheelchair with ambitions to fly". a-n News. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- ^ a b "Biographical information: Sue Austin | Push Me". www.pushmeplease.co.uk. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ^ a b c "More about Sue". We Are Freewheeling. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
- ^ a b Austin, Sue (Spring 2008). "Reflections on an Open Exhibition". Holton Lee News (26): 8.
- ^ a b Austin, Sue (21 June 2013). "Wheelchair ballet underwater: it's more like flying than diving". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- ^ a b Jacques, Adam (20 July 2012). "Portfolio: Norman Lomax". The Independent. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- ^ "C4 News: Wheelchair artist underwater". Channel 4. August 2012 – via Youtube.
- ^ a b "Sue Austin". Disability Arts International. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
- ^ BBC South Today (April 2013). "South Today interview Sue Austin". News report. BBC – via Youtube.
- ^ "GB2494309 – Wheelchair system". Intellectual Property Office. UK Government. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ^ Austin, Sue (8 January 2013). "Deep sea diving ... in a wheelchair". www.ted.com. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ^ "A Specially Adapted Underwater Wheelchair Brings Artist Sue Austin Beneath the Earth's Surface". Colossal. 16 November 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
- ^ a b c "Johnson Space Center wants to know more about underwater wheelchair". Houston Chronicle. 3 December 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ^ "When is a wheelchair an ultra-light submarine?". TEDMED. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
- ^ "Projects". We Are Freewheeling. Freewheeling. Retrieved 3 March 2016.