Who We Are

Our Visual World Values

Supporting Deaf Visual Artists in South Wales.

Vision and mission

Located in the heart of south Wales, Our Visual World (OVW) is dedicated to extending our support and resources to Deaf visual artists throughout Wales.

Our mission transcends geographical boundaries as we aim to cultivate a thriving community where Deaf Visual Artists flourish and thrive.

We are passionate about developing and sustaining meaningful connections between Deaf Visual Artists and key allies within galleries and museums, ensuring their voices are heard. Through strategic partnerships and collaborations, we work to ensure that Deaf Visual Artists are not only seen but celebrated for their unique perspectives and contributions.

Our vision extends beyond mere representation; we are committed to building a stronger and more inclusive arts sector. Through shared understanding and appreciation, we aim to break down barriers and create a more accessible and welcoming space for Deaf Visual Artists to thrive.

How we came to be

Deaf creative, activist and campaigner Jonny Cotsen and Jane Simpson, who runs GS Artists in Swansea put together the idea, partnering with Disability Arts Cymru, Llanelli Deaf Club and Glynn Vivian Art Gallery.

We engaged experienced people in the Deaf and visual Arts communities for guidance and support from: Rubbena Aurangzeb-Tariq, who is Deaf and an Arts Psychotherapist, Heather Williams, who specialises in project management and BSL/Access Consultancy, and Tom Goddard, who is an artist and hard  of hearing since birth.

Our Visual World is a Connect and Flourish project, supported by  Arts Council Wales.

Meet the Team

Jane Simpson
Artist & founding Director of GS Artists
Known for sculptures made from rubber, ice and refrigeration units, with shows including in New York, Madrid, Stockholm, Berlin, Seoul. Included in the seminal exhibitions “Some Went Mad, Some Ran Away,” and “Sensation”, her work is held in leading collections ..such as Arts Council of England, Government Art Collection, The Tate Collection. Simpson founded GS Artists from her studio on her hometown of Swansea, a not for profit arts project with an emphasis on empowerment and creativity for all.
Tom Goddard
Visual artist and teacher
Tom Goddard is a visual artist and teacher, he is a member of collective gentle/radical, nominated for the Turner Prize in 2021, he has the Marsh Award for excellence in education, a Creative Wales award and was selected for Jerwood Survey - a major exhibition presenting works by 15 early-career UK artists in 2018/19. He has exhibited across the USA, South America, China, Europe and the UK. He has worked extensively in social and community arts practice primarily with young people.
Jonny Cotsen
Art teacher
Jonny Cotsen, a qualified Art teacher, transitioned into a performance artist and access consultant, advocating for better inclusion in the arts. He founded 'Hear We Are,' focusing on the experiences of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in the creative field. Jonny organises 'Deaf Together,' a three-day event at Chapter, Cardiff, amplifying the creative voices of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
Rubbena Aurangzeb-Tariq
Artist
Rubbena Aurangzeb-Tariq is a Muslim Deaf Pakistani-British London-based artist. She creates paintings and installations, and her work has been exhibited in New York, London, Paris, Sweden, and South Korea.
Heather Williams
Our Visual World Lead & Artist
Heather has over 30 years of experience managing various projects in the third sector. As a freelancer, she currently leads Our Visual World, manages a Disability Dance Company and recently co-founded Deaf Gwdihŵ with Jonny Cotsen to support Deaf creatives in Wales. Additionally, she is an artist with her own studio on Queen Street in Cardiff, where she works with the Neurospicy Arts Collective. She exhibited in the Radical Joy of Unmasking exhibition at Cardiff Umbrella (2024).
Emily Rose
Artist
Emily is a Artist, a Mother and a Deaf woman. Emily want to make stuff accessible... Is that too much to ask for in 2024? Emily uses her raw emotions through mixed media, abstract art and videography exploring her wonderful chaotic journey of Motherhood, Life and Language Deprivation in Deaf community. Based in Cardiff and the Vale.
Melissa Payne
Artist
Melissa Payne is a profoundly Deaf Artist. Growing up next to Three Cliffs Bay in beautiful Gower, an area of outstanding natural beauty. She is an Artist Maker, taking on commissioned work and creating many artworks including fine art, enamel, ceramics, stained glass and surface pattern design. She sells her artwork in galleries and fairs. Her work is often organic in nature and through the pieces, her aim is to use her Deaf identity to communicate with the world.
Kate Evans
Photographer
Kate Evans is a photographer in South Wales. Her style involves capturing moments and storytelling, as well as capturing nature in motion, for example following the flow of waterfalls. She likes to experiment with different art forms and media. She loves engaging with people and finding out what makes them who they are. She loves going out in nature and cold dipping as it brings mindfulness.
Alex Miller
Visual artist
Alex is a visual artist with a passion for art who grew up in south Wales. Due to being deaf Alex experienced barriers in education and training and had difficult life experiences but is working hard to break down those barriers. At the moment I am currently studying textiles at Plymouth University. Alex recently won a prize at Plymouth University for his ‘Tell you later’ campaign using textiles to raise deaf awareness.