BOOK | "DISTORTION" captures the daily lives of artists with disabilities.
BOOK | Photographs by Rob Walbers, based in Europe
The Photo Collection "DISTORTION" Captures the Daily Lives of Artists with Disabilities
Disability art, with its boundless creativity and overflowing talent, has garnered attention in recent years. "DISTORTION," a photo collection capturing the daily lives and creative processes of artists active at "Yamanami Kobo," a facility for people with disabilities in Shiga Prefecture, has been published. The book was created by Keiomi Kasatani, head of "PR-y," a creator unit dedicated to promoting the appeal of disability art, and photographer Rob Walbers.
Photographs by Rob WalbersText by YANAKA Tomomi
Includes Fashion Inspired by Paintings by Artists with Disabilities
"PR-y" was established in June 2011 with the aim of expanding opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities by actively involving specialists from various fields in their creative endeavors and fostering collaboration. Led by creative director Keiomi Kasatani, the unit has developed a diverse range of activities, including the launch of the fashion line "NUDE:PR-y," which uses paintings by artists with disabilities as design motifs.
"DISTORTION," a photo collection whose title means "distortion" in English, was created to challenge the reality where the talents of artists with disabilities are not properly recognized, and where pity and prejudice act as a "strange" filter. The photography was handled by Rob Walbers, a member of "PR-y" who has photographed musicians' live performances and portraits based in Europe. The 100-page collection features predominantly black-and-white images, capturing the dynamic creative process, the artworks themselves, and visuals from "NUDE:PR-y."
In Europe, disability art is sometimes traded at high prices due to its artistic value. Through the photo collection "DISTORTION," we invite you to explore the profiles of artists who create uninhibited, free art.
"DISTORTION"
Authors: Keiomi Kasatani, Rob Walbers
Publisher: Yamanami Kobo
Specifications: B4 variant, 100 pages
Price: 4200 yen
Available Now
Yamanami Kobo
Tel. 0748-86-0334