Artist Affiong Day

Affiong Day is part of a collective of artists at Submit to Love Studios in Hackney. More than 15 artists use the studio, all united by the shared experience of surviving brain injuries. Often working collaboratively, the collective has developed a unique set of practices and interests.

We've teamed up with Submit to Love Studios for our March Thursday Late event, where Affiong's work will be on display alongside our current exhibition by Phoebe Boswell.

Affiong discusses how her experiences have shaped her artistic practice: "I was born in Barnet in 1973. My first job was as a dental nurse but because my parents were both artists I went on to do a Foundation in Art and Design. I believe my accident was my wake-up call.

Losing your abilities takes away your identity, but it also takes away ego. Humans are important, but they are not everything.

I do art because I can, and because it’s something I don’t mind failing at - whereas learning to walk again, it did break my heart to fail at something so natural. I no longer have the temperament or the physical ability to put too much emphasis on the accuracy of my drawings. Mistakes happen naturally, and I can't care about them like I used to. This carefreeness makes the drawings lighter, less conforming, more free and more expressive. In art I can find a use for my mistakes."

Taking inspiration from photographs in Autograph's archive, Affiong has created new works for the event. See them on Thursday 7 March at our gallery in Shoreditch, along with three spaces of artwork, an artist Q&A, drinks, and a relaxed exhibition tour.

This event is free, and everyone is welcome to join us. We are an accessible venue.

This event is part of our programme exploring disability, neurodiversity and rights – relating to creative practice.