Connections of Complexity - Charlie-Grayson A.
Description:
A black background with an artistic interpretation of a neuron in the centre. Overlaid are four rectangles containing an eye, a ribcage, two people kissing (one in a wheelchair), and a person doing the Auslan sign “love”. Scattered around there is a definition of intimacy and various sex theory graphs.
Significance:
I chose this piece as I feel that it best conveys the understandings I have gained from this class of both sexuality and disability; they are entirely unique and individual whole body experiences that cannot easily be fit into boxes or binaries without entirely invalidating some peoples experiences. Sex and disability aren’t just labels to be placed on a person when necessary, but are instead the backing of a bunch of experiences that overlay how people experience their lives and the views of themselves and others. I feel that my artefact most accurately conveys my learnings of sexuality and disability.
Positionality:
I believe that disability and sexuality are extremely important to having a whole understanding of the human experience. As a person who wants to help people I believe that having an understanding of intersectionality is extremely important, both as it assists in creating a more understanding context for general psychology, and better assists in the practice of empathy. I have personally had experience within the intersectionality impact on sexuality as a trans-queer person who struggles with effects of psychological disabilities, and being able to gain an understanding of intersectional experiences, or generally other peoples experiences on sexuality is eye-opening.
Impact:
My main takeaway from this subject and my artefact is that both sexuality and disability are inherently extremely complicated. They are extremely personal and individualistic experiences that are impacted by such a wide variety of factors, one of the major factors being intersectionality, that it is impossible to put sexuality or disability into a binary or into boxes in a way that doesn’t invalidate the experiences of those who do not fit into such a limited viewset (1,2,4,7). The boxing and oversimplification of unique life experiences such as disability and sexuality only does more harm than good.
Wish List:
My main hope for views of my artefact to take the want to further their understanding and compassion towards others. I want my viewers to be able to understand that their experiences and views of disability and sexuality are created out of biases and previous notations, and that due to both experiences being extremely unique and individual, that their understanding and experience is likely quite different from others, though neither are any less valid. I also hope that it may incline my viewers to desire to educate themselves into general differences in life experiences such as the effects of intersectionality.
Scholarship:
My artefact, as well as my learning, have been grounded within the literature of this course. In particular the literature around the complexities of sexuality, seen through the circles of sexuality; sensuality, sexualisation, intimacy, sexual identity, and sexual health and reproduction, all centred around values, a nod to these circles can be seen in the artefact (8). The other focus of mine has been around the intersectionality of both sexuality and disability, primarily seen through the varying understandings and stigmas around both that carry culture-to-culture. Understanding sexuality and disability from queer theory and black feminist theory can assist avoiding binary viewings, which only isolate and invalidate those who don’t fit into the status quo, and having more holistic views of disability and sexuality (1, 2, 4, 7). Spoon theory was also a literature that connects to my writing, seen through the symbolic spoon, it shows clearly the differences in how disability impacts sex through motivation (5). The further realisation that ableism, both explicit, implicit, and internalised, is not only still very prevalent in society but also very much impacts dating and sexuality was also quite effecting, especially when looking into belittling or demeaning people's life experiences with saying people have the “mind of a child” (6). Overall sexuality and disability are inherently vulnerable, either by choice or not, and both may be used to reclaim that vulnerability, but no matter that choice nobody should be shamed for invoking their agency and vulnerability, as they are very powerful things (3).
2 Comments
The way you incorporate complexity into your view of sexuality and disability speaks to a growth in your learning curve. I like how you understand and link several theories, such as queer theory and spoon theory to your artifact. The recognition of intersectionality and diversity within your experiences are nice personal developments. It is also good that you link scientific insights to your personal experiences, which has led to a broadened perspective. This will make it easier to understand and support others in the future. Finally, deeper intellectual growth can be seen as you have developed an ability to see beyond binary views.
Charlie, this was amazing. You took a totally different position than the vast majority of work presented. I heard you speak about relationships and the heft that sensory experiences have in forming and maintaining them both sexually and romantically. Speaking of spoon theory was perfect and seamless when it came to your concepts. I think everyone that heard you speak about your work took away a more profound respect for the sometimes invisible role that the brain plays not just in the act of sex but the conditions by which it facilitates desire and emotional bonds and manifests the outward displays of the two. I think you were the only person that really emphasised the brain as the main sexual organ and engaged that in a way that was indicative of Basson’s psychological considerations. Also, as an aside, how good was your artwork?! Thanks for sharing a well needed view, thanks for your effort, thanks for illuminating such an important perspective in a space where most of us were focussed on the physicality of sex. I honestly appreciate your work.