Power Not Pity Podcast

Episode 8: Power not Pity goes to Edinburgh

In a special disability history month episode, Access and Support Coordinator at DaDa, Denise Kennedy, takes us on a trip to Edinburgh Fringe. While travelling around the festival, Denise catches up with disabled artists and practitioners embedding access into their performances. Through their discussions you can gather ideas of how access can be planned into performance, hear about the experiences of disabled artists taking part in fringe, and find out about some brilliant productions currently on tour that you won't want to miss.

Episode 7: Power Not Pity - DaDa Makes Music at Liverpool Philharmonic

DaDa and the Liverpool Philharmonic have been working with young musicians on a composition project; podcaster Tom Walker went along to the celebration event at the Philharmonic Music Room to talk to musicians, organisers, and facilitators about the project.   Power Not Pity is DaDa's regular podcast covering Disability art and culture. Find out more about DaDa at dadafest.co.uk [http://dadafest.co.uk/]   Transcript will be available soon.

Episode 6: Power Not Pity Podcast - Deep End at The Bluecoat

DaDa invited a group of disabled artists to enjoy a visitor of an exhibition by international artist  Amy Claire Mills at Bluecoat.   Amy Claire Mills is a Neurodivergent and Disabled artist whose work delves into themes of advocacy, identity, and resistance. Her work ‘Deep End’, that the group explored, is a multidisciplinary installation with sculptural body supports, inflatables, plush text sculptures, quilted patchwork towel, wall mural, textile flags, carpet, at Liverpool Biennial as part of a Co-commission with DaDa.   The group were led around the exhibition by DaDa’s Access and Support Co-ordinator, Denise Kennedy, so they could explore and feed back on the access available while enjoying a sensory experience, touching the textures used and exploring ‘Deep End’ as a title.   Podcaster Tom Walker joined the tour to capture the experience and find out what the disabled artists thought.   You can catch Amy’s installation at The Bluecoat in Liverpool as part of Biennial ‘Bedrock’ until mid-September 2025.   Featured on this podcast are: Tom Walker - Broadcast journalist and Podcast Host Denise Kennedy - Access & Support Co-ordinator at DaDa Denise Armstrong – Deaf Artist Shaun Fallows – Disabled Artist Adrian Watts - Access Liaison Officer, Liverpool Biennial  Rachel McMahon  - Blue Room Staff Tom Rooney – Blue Room Artist

Episode 5: Power Not Pity with Painting In Light at the Williamson Art Gallery & Museum

In this episode, Tom Walker meets with artist and DaDa CEO Zoe Partington at The Williamson Art Gallery in the Wirral where one of her Neon Sculptures are on display as part of DaDaFest International 40. Zoe shares how the disability slogans that inspire her ‘Painting in Light’ series were brought about by disabled activists who have tirelessly campaigned over the 40 years of DaDa’s existence. Williamson Art Gallery manager Sam Howes reflects on how the contemporary sculpture will hopefully create conversation blending with the more traditional art it sits with in the space, and shares excitement that the Williamson will be celebrating their 100th birthday in the next few years. Tom also has a conversation with veteran disability rights campaigner Barbara Lisicki who explains the social model of disability and what is really meant by ‘accessibility’. You can catch Zoe’s Painting in Light series around the Liverpool City Region during DaDaFest International 40 and via an online exhibition here: https://dadafestinternational.github.io/PaintingInLight/

Episode 4: Power Not Pity at Pimp My Wheelchair

Power Not Pity visits ‘Pimp My Wheelchair’ at Sefton Park Palmhouse In this episode, Tom Walker talks to artists Faith Bebbington and Janet Price who presented their commissioned art ‘Pimp My Wheelchair’ as part of DaDaFest International 40. Janet explains to Tom “Pimp My Wheelchair was about brightening up prosthetics rather than them being dull and boring and as though they're things we should be apologetic about.” And Faith shares the “initial idea came from people who kicked my stick from underneath me and I wanted to make my stick more blingy and more noticeable and more dangerous so that people notice it rather than ignoring it.” The event was the start of a display of Faith and Janet’s sculptures being hosted by Palmhouse for the festival month, as well as online. Tom speaks to Shaun Fallows and Grindl Dockery who took part in the Pimp my Wheelchair procession during the launch who share their views on the need for more disabled people being involved in conversations about issues that affect disabled people. Tom asks are we doing enough or is a bit of ‘civil disobedience’ required to drive change. Finally, Naomi McAllister Marketing and Community Manager at Sefton Park Palmhouse shares how having events like DaDaFest there helps the team continue to learn and grow the accessibility at the venue.