‘I Want To Ask A Question’ on exhibition in Roscommon

Roscommon Arts Centre, in partnership with Disrupt Disability Arts Festival, is hosting ‘I Want To Ask A Question’, a solo exhibition by David Parnell is a recent collection of digital, rhythmic poetry by David.

The artworks utilises eye gaze technology to craft original arrangements that visually compose words: the pace invites viewers to think things through with the artist. Lines such as, “the trees don’t stare” and “do and be, because to come has come” emphasise not just the benefits of coexisting with the natural world, but of finding, typically in nature, a space devoid of judgement. David challenges us not to turn away from uncomfortable truths. Through the movement of text across projections, screens and gallery walls, we are implored to widen our own gaze; to deeply reconsider the conditions that allow every person to be truly themselves.

A further key work in the exhibition is the film ‘Cabbage’ by Holly Márie Parnell created in collaboration with David. An intimate work, it considers the relationship between empathy and the politics of care. It centralises David’s writings and their mother’s reflections on having to prove her son’s humanity. Moving between the contrasts of lived experience and bureaucratic violence, the film examines the complexities of bodily autonomy within an ableist paradigm.

The exhibition is running until May 23rd and the launch event takes place on Friday, May 16th at 6 p.m..

David Parnell (b. 1990) is based in County Wexford. He is a non-verbal and non-mobile person who uses eye tracking technology to communicate. This technology tracks the movement of his retinas to become the mouse on a computer screen. In this way, his eyes are his voice, and he uses this technology to write poetry.