Brontë GrimmDec 4, 2022

My career as a disabled artist who makes art about my experiences as a disabled trans person can be summed up via an excerpt from the last grant rejection letter I received:

“…while the members of the selection panel felt your art was evocative, accomplished, and beautiful, we collectively felt the subject matter of disability would disturb and upset art patrons. Your work was ultimately rejected because we felt it wouldn’t resonate with the public.”

…My reality.

#MastoArt #disabled

Show threadZ O R A N G R B I C

@brontegrimm You know what? This just tells me the source you went to for a grant doesn't seem to be the right one.

One thing you should not do is take their stance as a reference. Please continue your search for financial support to help you grow. Don't question your art. Don't spend energy on BS. At the same time, don't reject them. Invite them each and every time you're on expo. Invite their art patrons. Play with them, show them they were just a leverage not a dependency.

Dec 4, 2022 at 2:33pmWeb
Show threadBrontë GrimmDec 5, 2022
@zoran I definitely don’t dwell on it…but I shared it because this isn’t the only rejection with ableist reasons I’ve received. I have received HUNDREDS just like it. This isn’t a one off occurrence. Every year, multiple times a year I apply to grants I meet the qualifications for, and I’ve gotten zero. Some are standard rejections, which is expected as an artist. But some, like this one, list why you’re rejected, and it’s always based in the subject matter of my work.
Show threadBrontë GrimmDec 5, 2022
@zoran So, yes, eff these people, but at this point, at 35 years old, having been doing this since I was 16, a pattern has emerged, and it’s definitely systemic ableism. If it’s not a grant, it’s an exhibition proposal that’s turned down because the gallery isn’t wheelchair accessible, or that the subject matter of my work isn’t the right fit, even if they show dark art. I’m definitely not letting it get me down, but it’s still exhausting. 🖤🖤🖤
Show threadMatěj Cepl 🇪🇺 🇨🇿 🇺🇦Dec 17, 2022
@brontegrimm @zoran I am not 100% sure it is ableism. I would believe that it is just a sheer stupidity and confusing art with marketing materials. The highest form of art are washing powder commercials, aren’t they? Nothing disturbing and nothing challenging.
Show threadZ O R A N G R B I CDec 18, 2022

@brontegrimm I tend to realize it's that part of being an artist that's most exhausting.

The feeling you're fighting that huge tsunami and spending more energy to stay afloat then to advance.

Don't have that magic tip, just that you've at least one fan here.

BTW, still working on your online shop? How is it advancing?

Show threadBrontë GrimmDec 18, 2022

@zoran I wholly appreciate that 🖤🖤🖤

And it’s…coming along lol! I listed a few things, but haven’t listed more limited edition prints yet. I did get some postcards up, though! And after listing the one LE print, I at least have the copy written for the rest! lol! It’s so tedious, but I’m sloooooowly chipping away at it!