Questionnaire: artwork statement

Arts House Listening Program

(Questionnaire): “I’m not testing your responses, it’s only because I’m not a qualified neurologist and it hasn’t been passed by an ethics board” - and the other barriers between us… I made a game where I secretly test people’s global abstract reasoning. Although it’s not so secret because I have no filter and I tell everyone that’s what I’m doing.” --- I want to invite you to imagine what it’s like to have your neurology examined, and share the most beautiful part of being tested - which is deepening your understanding of your own psyche, and creating vocabulary for your own perceptivity. The recent Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability found Australia is in breach of its international obligations, committing “grave and systemic human rights violations for people with disability.” Other reports indicate a power imbalance created by the current top-down NDIS approach to autism. I’ve made this questionnaire artwork to include myself in the conversation, so my voice becomes part of the narrative. I want to bring awareness to the history of testing and experimenting on the autistic community. And ask whether or not Australia’s history of testing minorities has been good for people in those groups (for example, the White Australia Policy). Sometimes my community ask me why I think something is ableist. Then I ask them to imagine what it would be like if someone did the same thing to a person of colour or a trans person 20 years ago, and to sub in the disabled identity. 90% of the time, this is all people need to understand my perspective, and why it’s important we have difficult conversations that raise awareness for people that experience marginalisation or identify with having a disability. I’ve had five support coordinators who have been through NDIS training and didn’t know the meaning of the word ableism. I know the meaning, the person scribing for me knows the meaning. If you don’t know the meaning, just ask someone to explain it for you. It’s nice to learn new words. Sometimes there’s something really beautiful that comes out of not being able to do something. Sometimes, from oppression, we understand the true meaning of freedom. Sometimes, when you go without, you get to have a special relationship with the void. I don’t believe there is a ‘better’ or a ‘worse’ way to be human. I don’t believe smarter is ‘better’. I don’t believe being verbal is ‘better’. I don’t believe being more functional, or happier, is ever ‘better’. In my questionnaire, and when I test people, it’s outside right and wrong, and all answers are unconditionally valid: they’re descriptions, like different colours, or different songs. However you were born, in whatever kind of body, and whatever kind of brain, I unconditionally respect you. Well done for reading or listening to this whole thing, and thanks for coming to my show! Concept & Artwork: Mishka