[Art_beyond_sight_theory_and_research] Seattle Braille artist

[Lisa Yayla]

Jul. 20, 2006
In touch with art: Harborview hosts work of Seattle Braille artist

By Peggy Weis
Harborview Art Program Manager

As part of the Harborview art program's series of temporary public art 
exhibitions, photographs from Seattle artist Spike Mafford's "Braille 
Portfolio" are currently on view in the medical center's Ground West 
Lobby, cafeteria, and the foyer of the Research & Training Building. In 
a departure from conventional digital photography, Mafford applies text 
in the form of Braille (clear, raised plastic dots) to the surface of 
each image. This text provides poetic interpretations of the scenes 
depicted, so that the photographs can be understood and appreciated by 
individuals with reduced or impaired vision, as well as by the fully 
sighted.

Even though he initially struggled with the taboo against touching art, 
Mafford gradually accepted that he would have to break his rule to make 
the work accessible to new audiences. Now he encourages people to touch 
and welcomes the physical changes that result when fingers move over 
the photographs. "I like the idea of people reaching out to touch the 
image; in a sense, I am reaching out to touch the viewer, and I like 
the idea of that reach returning."

Mafford's work will remain on display at Harborview throughout the 
summer. For more information about the artist or his work, contact 
Peggy Weiss, Harborview art program manager, at pweiss at u.washington.edu.

http://uwnews.org/uweek/uweekarticle.asp?articleID=25619



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