These tactile works question ocularcentrism in the museum context whilst also valuing embodied interpretation. Drawing as Stimming is interested in the connections between stimming, hapticity and movement in visual impairment. Sam Metz founder of Drawing as Stimming has low vision and is visually impaired due to ocular albinism. When creating tactile tools they are particularly interested in considering how hands can rove around, through and in connection with objects. These objects were commissioned for the Turner:Austen exhibition at Harewood House with thanks to staff. The tools based on a Turner watercolour of Harewood House from the South East split the painting into foreground, middle ground and background. The concave bases (fabricated at Duke Makes Leeds) have been sculpted ontop of to make a relief. The concave space deliberately recedes away from the person interacting with them like an expanse of landscape allowing the hands to move in all axis considering the perspective of the painting. The work considers movement (the bases rock as your navigate them with markers considering navigation) considering perspective and movement whilst also supporting people to navigate the work beyond sight.
Images credited to Harewood House .