What do you do with DaDa?
I am working as Acting CEO for DaDa, my role is to work with the staff and the board to help steer the organisation forward. My role is strategic, overseeing the smooth running of the organisation.
Tell us a bit about your background
Last year I was awardee a Henry Moore Fellowship and I am currently writing a book about female disabled sculptors and artists.
Alongside my role at DaDa, I am C/Director of Disordinary Architecture working with cultural institutions such as The Bartlett School of Architecture, The British Library, Tate Modern and disabled people as architects and curators.
I am an international consultant and speaker on Disability Art, heritage and architecture in relation to inclusion and accessibility. I have a passion for equality particularly in the creative industries and understand the importance of establishing a clear framework of clients’ needs and requirements with a twist of creativity.
I projected managed National Disability and Arts Archive Collection, NDACA and support Shape on initiatives like their work with Kings College London KCL and working with British Council on cultural developments leading up to Cultural Olympiad programmes in Brazil, Japan and many other countries.
I have undertaken significant work with Exeter University on Westonbirt Arboretum opening up landscapes to blind and partially blind visitors and volunteers. I supported the report on Disability, Landscape, and nature for social inclusion. I also worked with Kew Gardens on sensory tours on site, developed new inclusive thinking for writers with the Arvon Foundation.
I worked towards the creation of a significant guide on Cultural Accessibility for Georgia and Creative Georgia to reframe thinking and was a curator of 'Fragile with Attitude' and featured my work on Domestic Landscapes in the first large scale female disabled artists show in Madrid.
Through my consultancy work I have supported project engagement and worked as an advisor delivering disability equality training and consultancy in Brazil, Singapore, Japan, Armenia, Australia, Armenia, Azerbaijan & the UK,
I’ve offered auditing and oversight, supporting changes in galleries and museums across cultural sectors internationally, including supporting the design and inclusive practice in refurbishing arts venues and theatres, new build schools with Archetype, Manola and White and other built environment providers.
I graduated from a Media and Design Degree BA (Hons) via the University of Portsmouth before going on to study for an Art, Design and Architecture PgDip at the University of Central England.
What do you like to do outside of this work?
I am also a practising disabled artist using my sight loss and chronic condition to inform my practice. My work includes:
@tightcontrol Neon signs Disability Slogans from the disabled people’s movement shown as part of the digital exhibition at Unit London 2023
Painting with Light – A series of acrylic and mix media paintings with creative audio descriptions for DIVOC with blind artists at the OXO Tower London 2021 and for ‘Fragile with attitude’ with ArtShape April 2022
Decoding Difference– light installation as part of The Layers of Vision project and exhibited at Somerset House as part of the International Design Biennial 2023
Domestic Landscapes – Disabled Women’s stories exhibited in Madrid as part of a show with 50 disabled female artists 2022
'Turning it on its head' Tu Fewn Cardiff Ffotography Festival winner 2015.
'Sound Canvas' work shown at The Public Gallery West Bromwich JODI Award winner 2013.
'First Impressions' was installed as part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad and developed to he highlight the journeys of disabled people through urban space and challenge the lack of access in our environment and society of disabled people.
'Re-create Tate' changing places space temporary installation in the Turbine Hall 'Joy of the Space' project.
'Here and Now' Artplus award for Art in Public Places Award 2008 £60,000. Zoe produced and masterminded the framework to enable disabled artists to be commissioned to be part of 'Here and Now' and commissioned Tony Heaton to create ’Squarinthecircle?’