Riverwood local Sue Jo Wright is facilitating access to the arts for deaf and hard of hearing people, providing Auslan tours with The Art Gallery of NSW, as an Auslan Consultant on The Voice Season 9, and as Artist Educator for the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.

The TAFE NSW graduate also founded the Sydney Deaf & Hard of Hearing Photographers (SDHP), the first group of its kind in Australia. SDHP was established in 2014 and hosts educational workshops and events to provide the deaf and hard of hearing community with photography skills.

Sue completed a Diploma of Visual Arts at TAFE NSW St George and said the course strengthened her creative skills, knowledge and conceptual ability as well as her industry consultancy and educational practices to provide unprecedented access to the arts for the deaf community. 

“I lead Auslan tours at Sydney’s major museums with much more confidence in the interpretation of artworks, thanks to the skills and knowledge I've acquired through my learning at TAFE NSW,” Sue said.

“Starting is always scary but the more familiar I became with the learning of artistic practice, the more confident I became in communicating and interpreting important contemporary and historical art to the deaf and hard of hearing community.

“My course has given me great practical experience working in groups and working with the hearing world. This barrier of communication is constant for me, my study has helped me to bridge various gaps like this, especially when working on group projects, setting up exhibitions and communicating our needs and interests.”

The Australian Network on Disability estimates there are approximately 30,000 Deaf Auslan users, with 1 in 6 Australians affected by hearing loss. [1]

Museum of Contemporary Art Access Manager Susannah Thorne said Sue provides invaluable connection to the deaf community in her role as an Artist Educator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.

“Sue works in collaboration with Angie Goto and together they develop and lead the MCA Australia's Auslan tours working on a range of programs for the deaf and hard of hearing communities,” Ms Thorne said.

“They play an active role increasing deaf awareness at the Museum through sharing and embedding knowledge of Auslan and deaf culture.”

Art Gallery of New South Wales Access Program Producer Danielle Gullotta said Sue is a dynamic artist and presenter who has shared her passion and knowledge of arts practice and connection to the Gallery with the wider Deaf community.

“Sue has been a contributing artist in the growth of the Art Gallery of New South Wales monthly Auslan program, which creates a social and cultural experience for people to engage in art, group discussion and ask questions in a safe and welcoming environment.” Ms Gullotta said.

For more information on studying visual arts at TAFE NSW, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or call 131 601.

Media contact: Kellie Dillon, R/Media and Communications Business Partner, kellie.dillon7@tafensw.edu.au, 0408 006 866.