In her forthcoming artists’ film ‘Light-Wave’, deaf artist and Art Psychodynamic Psychotherapist Rubbena Aurangzeb-Tariq exposes the discrimination against deaf communities and explores some surprising deaf history and culture. Rubbena was one of the stars of this year’s Women of the World Festival. She describes her work in Trellis as “political” in light of the anger she feels at the Government’s lack of recognition of BSL and the impact this has on mental health and education. ‘Light-Wave’ was made in collaboration with dozens of members of the deaf community, from school children to those in their seventies, collectively they hope to bring wider visibility to the community’s presence, and insights into a panoply of inner lives which are often excluded from society and the media. Rubbena comments “I’m a minority within a minority”, as a British Asian deaf woman, yet her work strives shows the beauty of sign language and the signing community, that is rarely seen.
Aurangzeb-Tariq’s work will be exhibited in the UCL-organised show ‘Trellis’ this April, alongside that of six other contemporary artists. The programme also includes an exciting line-up of free live events, including a BSL artist Q&A after the premiere of Rubbena’s film.
Presented as a blended physical and virtual exhibition due to the pandemic, the exhibition will be supported with a dynamic line-up of live events, visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/culture-online/welcome-trellis-festival to find out more.
