Nancy Rourke, 2010, Just a Minute (Deaf person feels left out). Oil on canvas, 20 inches x 30 inches.
Website: https://www.nancyrourke.com/index.htm
Twitter: @nancyrourke
Nancy Rourke is exceptionally talented. She is a Deaf Artist, a Deaf advocate and an influential member of De'VIA (Deaf View/Image Art), an art movement that represents “Deaf artists and perceptions based on their Deaf experiences.” Influenced by the works of Jean-Michel Basquiat and Jacob Lawrence, Rourke’s paintings possess this Neo-Expressionist je n'ais c'est quoi - the style is unique but identifiable; the themes unequivocal: Deaf Culture, Deafhood, Deaf Pride, American Sign Language (ASL) and Audism (to name a few).
My work has a centralized focus that makes a theme; resistance, affirmation and liberation art. I create words, images, colours and all of the construction that show blue tapes, yellow lights, hands, eyes, elephant, horse, strings, cracks, bandaids and so on. Primary colours are what I use. I also use monochrome for reinforcement. These elements make a big exposure to both Deaf and Hearing society. (Nancy Rourke’s Artist Statement)
