Artist Michelle Baharier is thrilled and proud to announce that on Saturday 8 February (11am-3pm) she will be part of an amazing takeover at the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art by our IN/Visible National Disabled Women’s Arts Collective which includes: Vici Wreford-Sinnott, Dolly Sen, Samantha Blackburn, Lynne Mcfarlane, Honor Flaherty, Caroline Cardus, Pauline Heath and Julie MacNamara.

There are going to be performances, interventions, zine and placard making, a procession, and a beautiful publication we’ve created for people to take away.

Baharier will be showing her latest performance ‘Growing in my Power’. Her piece will begin with her school report from 1972 before I was diagnosed with dyslexia. Since then, the world has changed and she will explore this with spoken word and the use of body and costume.

She will create an intervention for the audience combining the life of a dyslexic, an outsider who shares the hidden women of Middlesbrough’s fight as suffragettes and wearers of trousers. Baharier will also bring to life her Transformation Bridge with the reality of the Transporter Bridge that is locally known as the Dragonfly Bridge.

I would like to thank all the women in the group for their support whilst making this work and also Jackie Montague who collaborated with me on the text, Natalie Webb who designed the costume with me and Jackie Joyce who gave advice.

Come and Join us at MIMA

Saturday, 8 February 2025. 11am-3pm

For a wonderful, welcoming community celebration with performances, interventions, arts activities and workshops

A celebration of the cultural histories of disabled women activists.

A free event but please get in touch in advance to advise us of your access requirements. Event has BSL and audio description. info@littlecog.co.uk

Image – Pink inked background with a large yellow cog filled with fire-orange. Text reads IN/Visible National Disabled Women’s Arts Collective, and Rising in Our Power. A diverse array of hands are positioned as if turning the cog of change. Artwork by Caroline Cardus inspired by ideas from the collective.

What One Thing Would Improve The World?

Come and share a space to think about supportive communities – make a zine to take home, make a placard, hold a procession, chat with others, watch performances and enjoy the company. Let’s takeover MIMA!

With 500 years experience of life here on planet earth between us, we’d love to spend some time with you to share accessible arts experiences. We are interested in community space- making, activism and action. Nine amazing artists will share performances and workshops, talk about their work and make things with you. We also have a brand new zine publication to give to visitors with artwork, writing and fun little gifts inside.

Rising in Our Power reflects our journey post lockdown, and how we have built a new way of working together, cross-pollinating our diverse artforms and approaches, in the hope of more sustainable practice. www.littlecog.co.uk

Image – a photo montage of portraits of the nine members of the collective – colourful, happy and thoughtful faces.