Feb 26 • 14:00 UTC 🇦🇺 Australia Guardian Australia

‘Let me in!’ The artist inviting you to protest outside major art venues he can’t access

Hugo Flavelle leads a playful protest with supporters outside cultural venues in Perth, highlighting accessibility issues for disabled artists.

In Perth, local artist Hugo Flavelle, who uses a wheelchair and has limited vision, has initiated a performance protest titled 'Let Me In, Let Me Out' during the closing week of the Perth Festival. Gathering around 20 supporters outside prominent venues such as the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the protest takes the form of a lively, alfresco yelling session, where participants chant phrases pointing to accessibility inadequacies, such as the lack of audio descriptions and inadequate font sizes in cultural institutions.

The protest serves not only as a form of artistic expression but also as a call for greater inclusion within the art world, emphasizing the ongoing struggles faced by disabled artists and audiences. Flavelle's wheelchair, equipped with LED displays, symbolizes the need for visibility and acknowledgment of accessibility issues within these spaces. The atmosphere during the protest is one of camaraderie and shared purpose, creating a vibrant scene that balances joy with a serious message.

Flavelle's approach, combining performance art with activism, highlights the intersection between creativity and social justice. Through this demonstration, he aims to raise awareness about the barriers that hinder access to cultural experiences for disabled individuals, ultimately advocating for more inclusive practices that ensure everyone can enjoy the arts without hindrance. This event not only shines a light on local accessibility challenges but also serves as a poignant reminder of the work that still needs to be done in the broader cultural landscape.

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