Bathroom Portrait of Accessibility
Bathroom Portrait of Accessibility by Amaranthia Sepia & Claire Jones
An abstract comic-style drawing of a bathroom displaying varying objects of access. The walls are painted with rectangular strokes of off-white, light tans, and soft yellows repeated in a pattern. To the right is a white toilet with a grey half-tone pattern and a red and yellow toilet shag lid cover. Sitting on top of the tank are two containers of moisturizer. Above are two hanging paper koi fish - one red and white and one black and white. Both have gold eyes. In front of the toilet is a grey toilet safety frame & rail. To the left of the toilet on the floor is a blue watercolor-style mini trash can with gold speckles and a blue Febreeze spray can.
Further to the left is a brown granite counter and white cabinets. A soap pump, blue mouthwash, disinfectants, bottles, and an electric toothbrush decorate the counter. A grabbing tool (grabby hand) is resting across the counter. Above the counter, to the left, is a steel paper towel holder with a mini shelf attached, which holds toothpaste and other materials.
In front of the counter is a Japanese brown wooden hand-carved bench. Right next to the bench is a door made of white wood with a golden doorknob. Hanging from the door is a large brown bag with a white circle pattern and a small muslin bag.
Looking into the bathroom mirror is the reflection of the bathroom, which is from a photo of the bathroom in real life.
“‘Bathroom Portrait of Accessibility’ shows all the objects of access I had to set up for my Mom and myself while she underwent cancer treatment. Ranging from special disinfectant sprays that made it easier for my Mom and me to control infection risk, different types of mouthwash to prevent chemo-induced mouth ulcers so my Mom could continue to eat, a paper towel holder instead of a reusable towel since disposables reduce infection risk, a Japanese wooden bench used for sitting to brush her teeth when her neuropathy was very bad, a toilet safety frame rail to help her go to the bathroom safely, and a 'grabby hand' tool that she used to help her put on clothes and pick up things far away.
Creating these works, in collaboration with my Mom's guidance, helped us self-reflect on our disabilities, how we've coped over the years, and how our love for each other is our primary ‘access tool.’“
-Amaranthia Sepia
Amaranthia Sepia feels it's critical to use her voice to facilitate representation of marginalized women and marginalized genders. As a Buddhist Black invisibly disabled woman she highlights unconventional experiences through art. Amaranthia, along with her Mom, Claire, is the co-founder of Sista Creatives Rising, home of virtual charitable art event "Art & Mind," which helps creative folk who are marginalized women and marginalized genders gain accessibility and visibility in the arts to facilitate personal healing.
Returning to America after spending her childhood in Japan, Sepia was severely bullied. Creating works based on fond memories of Tokyo taught her the healing power of art. Since 13, she's coordinated art events on anti-bullying advocacy, BLM, disability, and women's mental health.
Claire Jones is Amaranthia’s mother and creative collaborator. In one week in March 2022, days after launching Sista Creatives Rising with her daughter Amaranthia, Claire lost her mobility by the hour. Enduring emergency surgery to remove a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma from her spine, she let go of all delusions and illusions about her health. Claire is now within the 1% category to walk again after such surgery. Now in remission, Claire redetermined to help marginalized women gain inner strength by accessing their artistic side.
A Buddhist and Frances Perkins Scholar, Claire's journey to scholarship began during her childhood in Barbados when she sought relief from the chaos of living under domestic violence. Claire uses her creative works and writings to encourage women trauma-survivors to utilize art for self-improvement.
Artwork by Amaranthia Sepia & Claire Jones
Object description written by Amaranthia Sepia
Objects of Access aims to start conversations about access, disability, D/deafness, chronic illness, and neurodivergence. It is borne from collective work, discussions on accessibility, disability justice, and is a living, breathing archive. Objects of Access invites reflection on a range of access needs, while provoking thought on accessibility as aesthetic and a continual process.