An intentional and living archive, filled with the works and lived experiences of those marginalized by chronic illness and disability.

ABOUT

A burgeoning project, Holding Space (2021-present) is an intentional and living archive, which bears witness to the lived experiences of those marginalized by chronic illness and disability: through exhibitions of art works, interviews, and written texts/manifestos by chronically ill and disabled creators. Holding Space encompasses social justice work, access equity, meaningful inclusion, and radical joy in the seemingly mundane. It is a community of collective care, open to all who identify as chronically ill or disabled.

The meaning of the name Holding Space is three-fold:

1) verb. to hold space for each other to share one’s own experiences in a community of support. Picture a ring of humans, all holding onto one another to form a circle, keeping ableist chatter at bay beyond and behind them, while you speak freely and/or rest peacefully within the circle, held in the care of others. This is Holding Space.

2) noun. a space of confinement. As many who identify as chronically ill or disabled are often limited to their home or a single room due to complications (this is even more true in the age of the pandemic and need to protect ourselves), a holding space in this sense acknowledges our frequent physical isolation.

3) noun. an archive, a place to collect and store things considered to be precious. Holding Space is an intentional platform to create an archive which is more reflective of us, as a counterpoint to the standard ableist narrative/canon.