Advocating for inclusivity through art and conversation, with Shannon Finnegan & Sugandha Gupta

Designing For Humanity

Artists and makers Shannon Finnegan and Sugandha Gupta pull inspiration from personal experiences to provoke conversation and insights through their work—about activism, inclusivity, and the experience of enjoying art itself. In this episode, Sugandha and Shannon discuss the possible shortcomings—and inadvertent exclusivity—of existing design frameworks, and how organizations can be welcoming spaces for disabled people. They also tell us about their experiences as part of the inaugural cohort of the WITH Fellowship, a program run by The Disabled List that places disabled talent in top design studios and fosters authentic conversations about differences. Shannon Finnegan explores disability culture and access through different modes of design, art, and writing. She has done projects with The Invisible Dog, Friends of the High Line, and Wassaic Project, where she created the Anti-Stairs Club Lounge. Website: www.shannonfinnegan.com Instagram/Twitter: @shanfinnegan Sugandha Gupta uses a variety of different materials, everything from paper to wool, to create a holistic art experience that spans the senses. From sound, to smell, to tactile feel, she is breaking the expectation of experiencing physical art only through sight. Website: www.sugandhainhere.wixsite.com Instagram: @sugandha.in.here A transcript of this episode is available at www.sypartners.com/podcasts/designing-for-humanity