Jyma

Jyma is an artist that has attended Prism Arts in Carlisle since 2012. In his own words,

I hope my art will inspire those who view and bring the Word of God new life. I am just starting my art journey and I hope you all will come along for the ride. Expect more art in the near future. God bless.

Jennifer: So Jyma, thanks for chatting with me today. I thought I’d start by me asking you a little bit about how long you've been going to Prism Arts, which is in Carlisle, and what you like about going to that group?

Jyma: Sure, that's fine. I've been going to Prism Arts since September 2012, and my 2 favourite things are seeing my friends and creating new art.

Jennifer: Excellent.

Jyma: And the third thing I like most is the sense of achievement of a hard days work at Prism Arts.

Jennifer: Oh, that sounds good. And what sort of art in particular do you like to do?

Jyma: Faith art for now, like religious art I mean. Religious art.

Jennifer: Okay, that's very interesting. And Katie tells me that you've been doing this project called Disability on Earth. Can you tell me a little about that?

Jyma: I make art about many genres. But right now I'm working on Christian art and Disability Rights. You are right. I have been working on the rights of the disabled around the world from Ukraine to the United States and various countries in between.

Jennifer: And is there anything in particular that you're focusing on within that?

Jyma: Just facts and figures as it were.

Jennifer: And putting those into your artwork?

Jyma: Yes.

Jennifer: Great. So when you make art, how does it make you feel?

Jennifer: That's good. When you go there, how many hours do you spend I guess each day when you're at Prism Arts?

Jyma: Between half past nine and half past three.

Jennifer: That's quite a long time, each time. And how many days a week do you go?

Jyma: Three.

Jennifer: Wow. It's very, it's a lot. And do you do any art at home outside?

Jyma: Oh yes.

Jennifer: Everyday?

Jyma: When I'm not at Prism Arts.

Jennifer: Good good. So do you like to see your work exhibited and how does it make you feel if you do see it exhibited?

Jyma: I have had some of my work exhibited. For example, I've got a triptych up at Tullie House called 'kept apart but still tolerant'. and I had a lot of put up in a seminar at Carlisle University in July. Both exhibitions were along with other people, so like with Harvey and Tom and Ellie, you understand?

Jennifer: Yes.

Jyma: And hopefully I may get a solo exhibition at the Cathedral next year, next July - watch this space.

Jennifer: Oh, well, that's good. And when you saw your work say, the work at Tullie House, which is a space in Carlisle, what did it make you feel when you saw it on the wall?

Jyma: An achievement.

Jennifer: And were you happy?

Jyma: Oh, yes.

Jennifer: That's good and would you like to see your work exhibited more, so maybe in some bigger gallery spaces? And are there any galleries may be around the UK that you'd like to have your work hanging in?

Jyma: I don't think about this scenario much and I don't have a clear answer yet, but for the foreseeable future, to have an exhibition at the cathedral site would make me happy.

Jennifer: No, that's sounds like a wonderful opportunity. I hope that happens for you.

Jyma: And possibly maybe the Baltic or something like that.

Jennifer: The Baltic is a nice space in Newcastle.

Jennifer: And do you find it easy talking to people about your work, and do you like talking to people about your work?

Jyma: I like to talk about my work and the meanings behind them. But if only really, if I know the person I'm talking to or if there's someone with me. Also I find writing better than talking. I'm reading from a phone by the way.

Jennifer: That's fine. I like to write things down as well so I don't forget them. I want to get all the right points across. And if you were telling someone about yourself, do you ever say to people that I am a disabled artist or do you just say that you're an artist?

Jennifer: That's good. Thank you for defining that for me. And if your work was included in a big exhibition, how would you like the gallery to talk about you on the wall? And what words would you like them to use? So I guess you've just said, you'd like them to maybe say you're an artist with a disability and then specify autism. Is there anything else that you'd like them to say about you in particular?

Jyma: That I am inspired by my Christian faith and a sense of duty to social activism. If I had to choose single words that could possibly be used in an exhibition, then I'd like the words bold, humble and Godly to be included.

Jennifer: Bold, humble and Godly, they are great words. That is really nice to hear. So in my opinion, it seems that lots of big galleries often don't show the work of disabled and learning disabled artists. And how do you think we might be able to get these galleries to show more of this work and what might we be able to say to them to do this?

Jennifer: That is very true. Do you think that they often just look at artists that might have been to art school or might have some sort of academic training, as opposed to artists that are self taught?

Jyma: I think some are.

Jennifer: Some do, okay. And if you had the opportunity to talk to a curator from a gallery, what might you like to talk to them about?

Jennifer: Wow. And why do you think that they don't show much work by disabled artists?

Jyma: Unconscious bias.

Jennifer: Okay, unconscious bias. And is there anything else that you think is important for people to hear about your art and about the work of, as you say, artists with disabilities more broadly?

Jyma: That even though it's been hard at times, I have never once given up or even considered it. And to other disabled and learning disabled artists, that if you do the same, you can get the breaks that I've been given too.