SALEM — H. Eliz Snowcarp tackles exclusion and inclusivity in the art world with her installation A Division of Vision: Can You See How I Feel? in the Focus Gallery of the Salem Art Association‘s Bush Barrn Art Center through March 29. She begins by asking what appears to be a simple question before diving into the meaning of seeing, and how the assumption that sight and understanding are often linked in the abled world.
Snowcarp also explores how the sighted and abled are the gatekeepers to the art world. Her art explores how those who aren’t fully sighted or who learn differently are often excluded from museums and galleries because of the limited opportunities for tactile interaction and touch.
In the process, she demonstrates that visual art serves not only as a means of expression and visual communication but can be a tool to understand complex ideas and concepts.
The exhibit is interactive and encourages touch. The artwork is raised, embossed, and incised, creating a deeper, richer experience for the viewer. Snowcarp excels at this because she understands how tactile experiences and art facilitate learning for people who struggle with reading and processing information…