American Able, 2009-2010
On the TTC:
Thursday the 6th, Saturday the 22nd

American Able, 2009-2010
On the TTC:
Tuesday the 11th, Monday the 31st

Artist Statement

PLEASE NOTE: Photographs in which the model appears topless do not appear on the TTC.

American Able intends to, through spoof, reveal the ways in which women with disabilities are invisibilized in advertising and mass media. I chose American Apparel not just for their notable style, but also for their claims that many of their models are just ‘every day’ women who are employees, friends and fans of the company. However, these women fit particular body types; they are able-bodied. Women with disabilities go unrepresented, not only in American Apparel advertising, but also in most of popular culture. Rarely, if ever, are women with disabilities portrayed in anything other than an asexual manner, for ‘disabled’ bodies are largely perceived as ‘undesirable.’ In a society where sexuality is created and performed over and over within popular culture, the invisibility of women with disabilities in many ways denies them the right to sexuality, particularly within a public context. The model, Jes Sachse, and I intend to reveal these stories and place her in a position where women with disabilities are typically excluded.

Artist Bio

Holly Norris is from Halifax, NS but is currently residing in Peterborough, ON where she is working on her Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental & Resource Studies and Women's Studies at Trent University.

Artist Contact

http://hollynorris.ca
hollynorrisphotography(at)gmail.com