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Cathy Mager

@cathymager

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Bristol artist/curator | Director @spectroscope_studio | Finger Talk @wellcomecollection | Clore Fellow | Deaf 🫶

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As I’ve had a few new followers recently, I thought I’d introduce myself ✨I’m Cathy — an artist, curator and founder of an international deaf and disabled-led creative practice, @spectroscope_studio My work explores hidden histories and untold stories through immersive projection installations and sculptural pieces. I create playful, interactive environments that transform spaces and invite people to step inside, explore, and become part of the experience.At its heart, my practice is about connection and curiosity — opening up new ways of seeing, feeling, and engaging with the world around us.Take a look around and come along for the journey 💫#deaf #disabledartist by @cathymager

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4 months ago

🌳✨We’re so proud to share the unveiling of Hand in Hand — a spectacular new sculpture celebrating British Sign Language and the education of deaf children in the UK. Two towering trees now stand in the shared reception of Elmfield School for Deaf Children and Upper Horfield Community School. Their carved trunks and sweeping branches are etched with sign language, while cork-clad leaves soften the acoustics of the space. Around them, glowing wall silhouettes were created in workshops with pupils. This has been a beautiful collaboration with pupils, local artists, and former Elmfield students. Alongside the sculpture, visitors can also enjoy a sign language poetry film made with the children. 🌳 Headteacher Kate Persaud says: “This project has been a wonderful experience for the pupils from both schools. To have such a significant and positive installation in our building helps to reinforce Elmfield’s commitment to creating an environment that celebrates British Sign Language and deaf culture. Cathy’s vision for this piece was ideal for the space and for the ethos of our school” 🌳 Created by Artistic Director @cathymager with lead fabricator Rich White, support from CNC specialist Ian Penny at Bristol Old Vic’s scenic workshop and laser cutting from Stephen Ryan. Mural painting from Sonia Burniston and Theo Cuff. 🌳Supported by Bristol Council & Arts Council England @aceagrams @nationallotterygoodcauses Full creative team: Charlie Swinbourne, Peace Adesosun, Cat Roberts, David Ellington, Lynn Stewart-Taylor, Alice Bowen-Churchill, Ruth Montgomery. With special thanks to Chris Laing for his design consultation. #HandInHand #BSL #DeafCulture #PublicArt #Bristol #BristolArts 📷 by Charlie Swinbourne by @cathymager

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10 months ago

Finger Talk @wellcomecollection 8th July – 17th October Finger Talk is opening today - I’m so proud and happy! Created in collaboration with 27 deaf contributors including deaf musicians, deaf singers, animators and performers Alongside donated audiograms, the installation also features fingerspelling drawings by deaf artists dating back to the 17th century plus deaf archive films. You can also wear haptic vests to experience our beautiful soundscape through vibration. Curator @lbcurates Project managers @managingthetilt and Georgia Monk Performers Nadia Nadarajah @nadiarathika Jayden Reid @realvib3s Lisa Kelly @lisaaekelly Audiogram donations @tedevansfilm, @deepgiggles, @bec_mansell, @jonnycotsen, @chrislaing_, Lisa Kelly, @yvonneycobb @reg_cobb, @sophiejwoolley @wlmager, Barnaby Mager, @samanthabaines , @stephen_iliffe BSL Direction Lynn Stewart-Taylor @freelance_bslconsultancy Video Design @bengglover Bird Animation @merry.eater Music: Composer and arranger @ngaiomusic, Sarah Heneghan Drums, @miriamdubois_music Percussion, @bethflynnartwork Vocals, @geoaginea Vocals @ruthflute Flute @murder_he_wrote Mixing. Exhibition design @studionaama 2D design @lukegould.studio Design consultant @chrislaing_ Deaf Architecture Front @deafarchitecturefront Camera: @patfilms Archive film editing Charlotte Sawyer Production Direction: @congo_catty @spectroscope_studio 🙌❤️ BSL Guide @rolfchoutan #AlexandraShaw @louisneethling Special thanks to @britishdeafassociation for their extraordinary film archive. Photos by Steven Pocock. by @cathymager

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a year ago

In Shanghai, one week ago today, we staged Night Bloom a projection artwork that illuminated a historic building in the heart of the city. What a night! Led by UK and Chinese deaf artists, two years of collaboration and incredible work came together in an evening of light, music and sign language. It was a jubilant and pioneering achievement, we’re so proud of everyone.Night Bloom is funded by an International Partnership Award led by Cathy Mager @cathymager and Alice Hu @alicexhu commissioned by Unlimited supported by British Council. Thank you to cultural partner @suhehaus . 🎥 Film by Walker Studio.#deaf #climatechange #biodiversity #signlanguage #projection #projectionmapping #shanghai #china@accessivation @ngaioamusic @weareunltd @britisharts @zihudiezhilian @wangxianhe118 @lifeng_he @gggizzzmo @bengglover @congo_catty @freyamcluckie @catnualasheridan @joverrent by @cathymager

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a year ago

Last week I had the privilege of presenting my paper, Light After Loss, at Oxford University, alongside an international delegation from Brazil, Hong Kong, Germany, Poland, the USA and beyond.There were moments during the week that felt quietly surreal.What stayed with me most wasn’t the setting, though. It was the feeling that I didn’t have to leave parts of myself at the door.I was able to speak honestly about loss, deafness, art and lived experience in my own voice. Not as something to overcome or explain away, but as a way of understanding the world.That felt freeing.More on this soon. by @cathymager

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12 days ago

A lovely week working with Oxford University. I was a little nervous before giving my talk, but thankfully it all went well… even with Margaret Thatcher watching from the corner of the room. 👀 by @cathymager

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15 days ago

Time in Watchet. Sum, beaches, lightening storms and mirror like puddles. Thank you to the amazing team at @eastquaywatchet for creating such a warm, welcoming and inspiring community 🌩️☀️✨ by @cathymager

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a month ago

An early start at the studio meant morning light, dust in the air, and the glow of our antique magic lantern. Today’s image was an old glass slide of Clifton Suspension Bridge, with a tiny figure crossing its length from another era of horse and cart. This lantern was retrofitted by @rodandcone_ , and a second is waiting to be restored. I can’t wait to see two beams of light colliding in the studio soon. ✨ by @cathymager

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a month ago

The sun finally came back, so we escaped to the gardens at my studio before heading to Hauser & Wirth. Marley remained entirely unconvinced by the art, but did take great interest in chasing his ball across the immaculate lawns… until we were politely told off. (Guide dogs need to let their hair down after work too! 🐾 )A lovely afternoon of art, sunshine and minor acts of canine rebellion. by @cathymager

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a month ago

For many people, David Hockney will be remembered for swimming pools and Californian light. But as a deaf artist, I think of something else: the way he moved through the world with curiosity, humour and an extraordinary attentiveness to looking.Hockney had hereditary progressive deafness. His father was deaf, and by 1979 he was wearing hearing aids himself. Deafness was simply woven into the fabric of his life and work. Perhaps it shaped the way he paid attention: to colour, to detail, to the endless possibilities of perspective.It mattered to know that one of Britain’s greatest artists shared this experience of navigating the world differently. Not as a symbol of inspiration or limitation, but as an artist whose way of perceiving enriched the work he made.Thank you, David, for reminding us that there is never only one way of seeing. What extraordinary perspectives you gave us. #davidhockney by @cathymager

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a month ago

Back in the studio after a week away 🌱🌼 Still so much to get organised, but glad to be back in my happy place ☀️ by @cathymager

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2 months ago

Our Artistic Director Cathy has clearly taken site recces to another dimension today… 💙⏱️🌀More coming soon… probably from the future! Onwards to the next Spectroscope adventure ✨ by @cathymager

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2 months ago