About Jason Wilsher-Mills: Jason and his Argonauts in Love
Jason Wilsher-Mills uses iPads and Wacom tablets to create bright, celebratory and poignant works exploring themes of disability. His digital drawings are then translated into huge inflatable works or human-sized fibreglass sculptures. Colourful and bold, his works are acts of activism that are visually captivating and use their joyfulness to begin serious conversations.
The works on display at YSP were made in collaboration with learning-disabled groups across the country. Their stories are intertwined with the artist’s own across the surfaces of the sculptures, told through words and pictures.
The central work is a 10-metre-long inflatable addressing basic human rights and respect, centred on access to Changing Places Toilets. Visitors can pass through a tunnel within the sculpture and read words from those with lived experience that convey the importance of this campaign. Wilsher-Mills highlights how, if we are to understand one other fully, we must acknowledge hierarchical systems of access and rights that are still not equal for everyone.
The artists’ figures are covered with tattoo-like adornments, and frequently the word ‘love’. This acts a way to convey personal narratives and stems from the time when Wilsher-Mills was paralysed from the neck down as a child; his mum would paint on his face as this was something he could feel. For Wilsher-Mills these tattoos also connect with his background in a northern working-class family, where love was felt, though not necessarily stated in words, and often only found expression when inked into the skin.
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Taking place as part of our On Queer Ground exhibition which is part of our Summer of Love programme, book a walk with the people listed below to spend time with them and learn more about their story and experiences of being a member or ally of the LGBTQIA+ community. - Event
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Celebrate the Summer of Love with your loved ones at our mini festival-in-a-day. Focusing on community and wellbeing, find free drop-in activities throughout the day on the Bothy Lawn. Summer of Love
–The Summer of Love is a series of projects and events at YSP about love and community. It will run from the summer solstice to the autumn equinox. The solstice is the longest day of the year, and the equinox marks the start of autumn. During this time artists will explore ideas around relationships, love, connection and understanding.- Event
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–Together, explore love, acceptance and belonging while noticing and connecting to the natural world. The session will be led by imaginative artists who will help you to discover your creativity in new ways, creating art and nature filled family memories to treasure.