I’ve seen a lot of art by famous artists, but I’ve never been so moved as I was by this show. This art show patron is not talking about an exhibit at the Louvre in Paris or the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. She is talking about a brain injury art show, Breaking the Silence, now on exhibit at the UW School of Social Work First Floor Gallery until Sept. 30, 2016.
Read the personal story of Shanda Taylor-Boyd, traumatic-brain injury survivor and artist whose work appears in this exhibit.
“Most all of us will be impacted by a brain injury at some point, whether it happens to us personally or someone we know,” said Deborah Crawley, the executive director of the Brain Injury Alliance of Washington, which is co-sponsoring the exhibit with the School of Social Work. Brain Injury is the leading cause of death and disability for most age groups, including children.
This annual art show, now in its eighth year, and other events sponsored by BIAWA are not only important because they provide opportunities for brain injury survivors to connect with each other as artists, survivors, and contributing members of society, but also because they provide opportunities to educate our community and break the silence of the serious health issue. Image provided by Tim Carter.
Each artist in Breaking the Silence has suffered some form of brain injury. Their lives were changed by their injury. Art is a vital form of expression to many of the art show participants; the artists employ art as a therapeutic tool in the recovery process. According to brain injury survivor and artist, Brandon: “These physical pieces of art are representatives of I did it. I came back from this and I am going to beat the odds.”
About the Brain Injury Alliance of Washington: The mission of this nonprofit agency is to increase public awareness, support, and hope for those affected by brain injury through education, assistance and advocacy. Just a few of the services the agency provides free of charge include the Washington Traumatic Brain Injury Resource Center, resource management, and brain health and wellness classes. Learn more at www.biawa.org.