The category of Affirmation in my paintings explores themes of empowerment, American Sign Language (ASL), Deaf community affiliation, Deaf identity, and the concept of Deaf Gain—the distinctive cognitive, creative, linguistic, and cultural benefits and perspectives associated with being Deaf. Through an Affirmation De’VIA framework, my work centers Deaf people and Deaf culture while recognizing the visual, spatial, and signed experiences that shape Deaf ways of knowing and being.
These paintings emphasize Deaf pride, cultural belonging, resilience, and collective identity, while affirming the significant contributions, knowledge, and lived experiences of Deaf individuals and communities. Rather than representing Deafness solely through the lens of loss or disability, Affirmation De’VIA presents Deaf existence as a source of cultural, linguistic, and creative value.
