Disabled artist set to disrupt Preston Bus Station as part of nationwide celebration

BE THE CHANGE at the Bus Station Pic: Tim Saunders — The Bus Station recently hosted another art intervention by Timsperspectiveart Pic: Tim Saunders

A Disabled artist is set to disrupt Preston Bus Station with a surreal intervention.

Nicola Woodham is one of 31 Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent artists taking part in the nationwide We Are Invisible We Are Visible project on Saturday (2 July), in recognition of the 102nd anniversary of the first DaDa International Exhibition

The Harris Museum, Art Gallery and Library, in collaboration with Dash Disability Arts, has connected with Woodham, who creates off-kilter performances with vocal improvisation, sound poetry, electronic music and ‘etextile’ digital musical instruments worn as costumes.

Woodham’s intervention, Buffer, responds to the incessant stream of demands to perform within ‘able time-frames’ by making vocal buffer zones: ‘Getirrr, pssst, Zzzapp, fuffff, ba bup-bup-bup, ahhhhh buffy muffy!’

Nicola Woodham performing Buffer at Cafe Oto in 2021 — Nicola Woodham performing Buffer at Cafe Oto in London last year

When asked about what the Preston intervention represents, Woodham said: “My intervention Buffer responds to the norm of rushing around, fear of missing out, keeping up. I’m suggesting that this creates a lot of pressure, and asking ‘who are we doing it for?’

“This dominant way can be extra difficult for disabled people who might need a bit longer. I call these ‘ableist time-frames’. Hopefully my intervention will slow things down, create a buffer space.”

Other galleries in the North West taking part in We Are Invisible We Are Visible include Tate Liverpool, Grizedale Arts, and Manchester Art Gallery.

Councillor Peter Kelly, Cabinet member for arts and culture at Preston City Council, said: “We are delighted to be part of this fantastic nationwide project, We Are Invisible We Are Visible and are especially pleased to be working with artist Nicola Woodham whose intervention will take place within the Brutalist architectural setting of Preston Bus Station.”

The ‘Buffer’ intervention will take place at Preston Bus Station on Saturday 2 July 2022 at both 1pm and 2pm.

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