Joanne Tiffany is a multidisciplinary artist living in Wakefield, currently studying Fine Art at Leeds Beckett University, whilst also being an ambassador to the charity ‘Outside In’. Joanne explores the social contract, focusing on issues around disability, chronic illness, power, and barriers. Through all her work, she passionately advocates for equality, inclusivity and access whilst using her own personal lived experience to be both progressive and positive.

Can  you tell us a bit about your practice as a visual artist?

My practice explores the social contract using a variety of materials, including photography, film, sculpture, and textiles to confront hypocrisy within this, to highlight hidden narratives and lived experiences. Having a multi-disciplinary practice gives me freedom to allow the artwork to grow, develop, transform, and establish whilst giving flexibility as an artist living with disability and chronic illness. My practice, whilst also highlighting health and wellbeing, draws primarily but not exclusively upon my own lived personal experience to be both progressive and positive.

Why do you create?

I have always created; it has been my escape from a young age and, at times, my safety net. However, now it’s a compulsion that must be fulfilled, from the idea, planning, building and the completion I enjoy every part even the stressful stages.

What changes would you like to see in the arts sector?

An industry wide change I would like to see and be an impact on is access and not just access as an afterthought but at the forefront. I would like to see more accessible buildings, art studios, exhibitions with accessible artwork, and/or with accessibility built into the design and layout at every stage. Also, input from a mix of people because lived experience can give greater insight. Finally, integrating these things within education’s curricula, developing research and programmes in which to improve the build landscape.

How has the UNBOUND development and mentoring programme, about creating art for public spaces, impacted your own outlook and your creativity?

The programme has given me an abundance of insight and knowledge that I did not have before and gave me the confidence to look & apply for opportunities to work with communities, organisations and submit applications for public space artworks. It has made me look beyond researching public artwork of other artists and envisage and design work for public spaces.