{"id":84185,"date":"2024-09-04T16:19:18","date_gmt":"2024-09-04T16:19:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nmwa.org\/?p=84185"},"modified":"2024-09-09T13:06:23","modified_gmt":"2024-09-09T13:06:23","slug":"wikipedia-edit-a-thon-disability-activism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nmwa.org\/blog\/advocacy\/wikipedia-edit-a-thon-disability-activism\/","title":{"rendered":"Wikipedia Edit-a-thon: Disability Activism"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On July 20, NMWA\u2019s Betty Boyd Dettre Library and Research Center<\/a> teamed up with Wikimedia DC<\/a> for the museum\u2019s annual Art+Feminism<\/a> edit-a-thon. This year, to complement the museum\u2019s 2024 #5WomenArtists<\/a> campaign, the event focused on disability activism and advocacy in the arts and was held during Disability Pride Month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read on to learn about #5WomenArtists whose Wikipedia pages were created or enhanced at the event by attendees. And to learn more about the event, watch a special segment from NBC4<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Sarah Biffen<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Biffen<\/a> (1784 to 1850), an English painter specializing in miniature portraits, was born with no arms and undeveloped legs due to Phocomelia, a congenital condition. She learned to paint by holding the brush in her mouth. Biffen\u2019s family placed her under contract to a man who exhibited her in fairs throughout England; people paid to watch her sew, paint, and write. In 1808, George Douglas, an Earl, saw her painting at a fair and, impressed with her skill, paid for Biffen to attend the Royal Academy of Arts. Volunteers updated her Wikipedia page to note her inclusion in the collection of the Museum of Somerset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
Sarah Biffen, Self Portrait<\/em>, ca. 1800 to 1850; Watercolor; Image courtesy of the Wellcome Library, London <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Mariam Par\u00e9<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Par\u00e9<\/a> (b. 1975) is a visual artist, painter, and disability activist. In 1996, while working on her art degree, Par\u00e9 was shot by an unknown assailant. The injury left her paralyzed. Par\u00e9 trained herself to paint by holding the brush in her mouth, and she is celebrated for her skillful technique. She says<\/a>, \u201cI make art based on the disability experience. I make art to better understand myself and the world around me.\u201d Volunteers created Par\u00e9\u2019s Wikipedia page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. \u00c1ngela de la Cruz<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

De la Cruz<\/a> (b. 1965) is a Spanish painter and sculptor known for works that are purposely warped. The artist had a stroke when she was two months pregnant and became paralyzed. She now uses a wheelchair in everyday life. De la Cruz continues to create art with the help of assistants. In 2010, she was nominated for the Turner Prize. Volunteers added references to her existing Wikipedia page and edited descriptions of her work for accuracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\t

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