A 4.2-meter-long textured fabric artwork with accompanying vinyl decal has been installed at the City campus as an expression of accessibility, belonging and allyship through the lens of students who are d/Deaf, Disabled, and living with disability.
Named Metropolis, the public artwork was co-created by RMIT alumnus Rachel Shugg, a d/Deaf / disabled interdisciplinary fashion designer, as the third and final chapter of Art for Social Change, a series of participatory artworks exploring social justice issues that impact the student experience on campus.
Rachel, who uses a wheelchair, was inspired by the idea of interrupted journeys after a school art trip to Venice where, despite her love for the city, she faced significant barriers.
"I was besotted with all of it, especially the design of it. But I was in love with the city that did not love me back. It was inaccessible, it was hard to navigate, and it took a lot of effort on my behalf and my friends," she said.
