A new book that features artists with disabilities from all over the world includes artwork by Moore Fine Arts grad Jade Ramos.
Ramos, who graduated in 2019, is highlighted in INSIDE THEIR STUDIO: Artists with disabilities and their collaborators, along with artists who practice in a variety of mediums from five continents, 10 countries, 13 disciplines and 17 disabilities. It's the first installment of the Ikouii Book Project. The project gives a rare glimpse inside their studios, their inspirations and their personal journeys.
"My works helps me both raise awareness, educate a wide range of people, and get some healing out of it as well," quotes Ramos in the book. "I want to share my story and the stories of those who have disabilities and make known what's usually ignored or forgotten about."
Ramos said she was contacted through Instagram by the person curating the book, and was asked if she'd like to participate.
"See myself in a book is so surreal," said Ramos. "Disability representation is lacking heavily in media, so it’s important to show and I’m glad I get to have a hand in that by being in this book."
Since graduating, Ramos has been working as the social media manager for Disability Pride Philadelphia Inc., a disability-led nonprofit organization.
"I make everything as accessible as I can by including image descriptions, subtitles, making things compatible with screen readers," she said. "I’m also their on-call artist, so I make any art they need for events they are having, like t-shirt designs, flyers, logos, etc."
July is Disability Pride Month, and Ramos encourages everyone to learn more about the history of the disability rights movement. She recommends watching the Netflix documentary Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution, for which former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama served as executive producers. See the official trailer here.
To learn more about day-to-day disability life, follow Ramos on Instagram at oneojo.
Read more about Ramos here.
