Shape Artist Commissions showcases
Four disabled artists and disabled-led companies presented their new works, commissioned by Shape, responding in humorous and perhaps cynical ways to the themes of London 2012, with the aim of engaging Deaf and disabled people in new ways with the Games.
The showcases at Southbank in May and July, were a fantastically high profile events which show the talent of disabled artists and demand wider attention for the experiences of disabled people. The artists were:
Aaron Williamson: King Midas attempts the 100m sprint – a heroic effort worthy of the glory. Unfortunately he recently turned himself into gold, and is having a difficult time of it… (visual arts/film)
www.aaronwilliamson.co.uk 
Liz Bentley: Britain ’s leading “sit-down” comedienne and poet describes winning a poetry prize, taking ‘holidays in her mind’ and coming back with a suitcase full of stories and songs and a new poem: a snip at just ‘£500 a line’
www.lizbentley.co.uk
Kazzum Theatre Company: watch a newspaper full of Olympics stories come to life, with people and places jumping out of the pages, you could take a paper lion for a walk, or earn newspaper money in an engaging piece of participatory street theatre
www.kazzum.org
Stop Gap Dance Company: examine cultural images of London (think James Bond, British reserve, queueing and rain…) along with cultural identity and ‘Britishness’, as the dancers host their own games
www.stopgap.uk.com
Click here for more information about the showcases
The Shape’s My Games activity pack is full of fun resources to plan activities aimed at encouraging new ways of engaging with the Olympics, of looking at ‘Art’ and disability. It also gives an insight into the Shape’s Artist Commissions, where four disabled artists and disabled-led companies presented their new works at Southbank Centre this summer.
To download a copy of the My Games pack, click here
The Shape Artist Commissions have been granted the London 2012 Inspire mark as part of the Cultural Olympiad, which recognises outstanding projects and events helping deliver the Games' lasting legacy.
