'Dogs in the hood'. Nov. 9th - Nov. 25th, 2007
Suzanne Sommersgill of Pinn Studio

Chasing Light Stranger
August 12 - 26, 2007

MAIN ARTERY / GALLERY is honoured to exhibit original silver gelatin prints from Vancouver photographers Russ and Wendy Kwan's fine art book "Chasing Light Stranger", which recently won third place in the PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris 2007 out of over 8,000 international submissions.

Vistas & Seascapes: encompassing recent works of Gulf Island scenery; capturing the imagery & the timeless beauty of that very special part of coastal BC

Five Ring Circus
May 12 - May 27, 2007

The Five Ring Circus, an exhibit at MAIN ARTERY / GALLERY based on the documentary by Conrad Schmidt looks at the impact of the 2010 Olympic games on Vancouver. The factors covered are the economic, social and enviornmental costs that Vancouver is already paying by hosting the Olympics. While many are excited about welcoming the world, this exhibit showcases the residents resistance to the changes happening in their communities.

"A scathing look at how much we're paying for the 2010 games"
- Vancouver Courier

Access-Sex
March 17 - March 29, 2007

Sex is a vital part of our existence yet it remains a taboo subject in society. Disability is also something that the courteous Canadian does not talk about. Combine sex and disability and contrast occurs… but why? Access-Sex is a photographic collaboration that’s focus is on one woman’s exploration of her disability in relation to sexuality. Opening on March sixteenth at the new Main Artery Gallery, Access-Sex is aimed at not only answering questions but raising questions on the ideas of sex and disability.

Proposal
“So…can you have sex?” this is one of the first questions I’m asked when I meet a stranger. When people meet me they are inquisitive. I am a relatively attractive young woman in a wheelchair. The reason why I’m asked this may be because of a lack in social graces, curiosity or plain ignorance. This and other catalysts, spurred me to work on a photography project with Sarah Murray called Access-sex looking at disabilities and sexuality. The main reason why this issue needs to be addressed is because of misrepresentation (or lack of) of people with disabilities in the media.

Access-sex will change predetermined ideas and prevent future misjudgments. Currently, people with disabilities are seen as asexual and few examples in the media contradict that message. Similar to able-bodied people, not all people with disabilities are sexy; that doesn’t mean people with disabilities can’t have sex or can’t enjoy it. The media and the arts presently do not show people with disabilities in a sexual light, as able-bodied people have set the sexual standard.
There isn’t a more mainstream pornographic magazine other than Playboy, setting some sort of a sexual standard since 1953. Ninety-nine percent of Playboys models are able-bodied with the exception of Ellen Stohl a C8/T1 incomplete quadriplegic who was Playboys first disabled playbunny who modeled in July of 1987. Another anomaly is Aimee Mullins, an amputee from the age of one, modeled for Alexander McQueen on the cover of Dazed and Confused in August 1998 and starred in Matthew Barney’s “Cremaster Cycle” in 2002. Apart from Ellen Stohl and Aimee Mullins, people with disabilities are typecast as estranged victims, hospitalized seniors and extras that provide an institutional atmosphere. Not very sexy.

This project is not pornography but a tasteful display of provocative pictures that raise questions. Access-Sex is a collaboration of photographs taken by Sarah Murray featuring myself in a range of different poses. As art is primarily subjective, these images will connect with the different audiences that will view the show.

The project Access-Sex is necessary to not only make people aware of the fact that people with disabilities are typecast as estranged victims, hospitalized seniors and extras that provide an institutional atmosphere. Not very sexy.
This project is not pornography but a tasteful display of provocative pictures that raise questions. Access-Sex is a collaboration of photographs taken by Sarah Murray featuring myself in a range of different poses. As art is primarily subjective, these images will connect with the different audiences that will view the show.

The project Access-Sex is necessary to not only make people aware of the fact that people with disabilities are seen as asexual beings but to also highlight the origins of their thoughts on disabilities and sexuality. With a range of images the connection between disabilities and sexuality at times is merely a suggestion to ease people into something they may have never consciously thought about. Ultimately the answer to the question is: Yes, I can have sex. Want to see some photos that might answer other questions?