Acknowledging the Greatest Artist
​Al- Sani'
​One of Allah's names

Acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin as the Traditional Owners of the land in Melbourne
Pay respect to Elders past and present acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today, never been ceded.
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This project examines the artistic experience of people who identify as D/deaf & disabled, chronically ill, neurodiverse or who have lived experience of mental health issues. The artist aims to bring together a diverse cross-section of other art-makers to demonstrate the richness in cultures within the disability community.
​​“Many people with disabilities in the community are isolated and lonely. For some, the barriers in the built environment limit their ability to participate fully in community life. But for others the barriers are social and attitudinal...”
                                                                         Shout Out Report, 2009
​"Art is an equaliser and it can empower people. It has the ability to communicate. Disabled artists are forgotten and remain invisible in the equation of the current Covid_19 pandemic which has made it even more compelling to tell their stories. This oral history needs to be documented and factored in to show the real costs – psychologically, socially and politically – and still be a personal and aesthetic undertaking".
                                                                       Güler Altunbas 2021
In a world that is increasingly isolated connections that allow people to share their individual stories are especially important.

Human First? pairs video interviews with digital portraits to tell the stories of ten D/deaf and disabled artists. The presentation of Human First? will also demonstrate Güler's process unfolding whilst each individual artist discusses their unique practice during the interviews. She animates the creation of each portrait after the interviews and integrate these into the interview videos. This will allow audience members to witness the decisions Güler makes relative to the discussion that is taking place.

ALLAH first ! 
I am disappointed that trying to live of the
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Nicky Tsourlenes
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Chelle Destefano
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Larissa MacFarlane
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Sandy Jeffs OAM
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Annabelle Pacos
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Dr Bon Mott _/\_ identifies as lightning, and non-binary.
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Heidi Everett
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​Raphael, 'The Beurologist' Kaleb,

Featured Artist
Muir, Yorta Yorta

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​Vale Uncle Greg Muir Yorta Yora
Late Uncle, and I were in several exhibitions together. He would say MY LAND. So I'm going to ensure people know that about him. Believe me since his pass I'm still trying to negotiate for him in the background ensuring their family, AAV,Yorta Yorta gallery & mob stage way of working out. I want to ensure his artworks are heritage listed. Today i was at Westspace I was spuling him to them and do something extra with my artwork of him. Well West Space were in the beginnings of a Project. I've got his back, I'll wait. Plus, we both have Cancer.

​He would have the Aboriginal flag and there was one exhibition it was so joyous to see him with Late Uncle Jack. #Uncle Jack
He was competetive plus (plus go go) but I wanted so sell my art too lol. Fond memories especially, we were in the room the Japanese Ambassador and his wife was there at the opening night he held their attention I thought my time to shine lol so with the wife I sang a Japanese poem making a pinky promise Pinky promise 1000 needles serious with children, that I'll keep making art. Unsure, if I gave adequate attention and respect to their business card. Well we didn't sell to them fantastic chat with "wife" (Poised distinguished).

Breaking news
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I asked artists "if you could tell person of influence what would you say?

What disabled artist's really want you to know!

Artists' key messages 

Mentors

Rhian Hinkley
​Liang Luscombe
Tara Kingston
Phil Noak

Rhian Hinkley

I want to sincerely acknowledge how a humble giving encouraging person Rhian is. He would never take credit, I can assure you he supported along the way at every point in an empowering way. Rhian got me into digital Multimedia bringing his own equipment from letting me play, often repeat question same question, in fact the MacBook Pro we chose together and during Covid we had a Zoom sesh I was torn as it got delivered and he was teaching do you thin I could concentrate on what he had to say lol. He was excited so remotely he opened this one I'm using

I award Rhian the best artist, best mentor, best friend, best teacher, best ideas creator, best allow me to dream, best show me techniques on software and how to use, best ideas planter. well he's the BEST. Rhian has no Idea I've done this. He has never wanted any accolades. If I can bestow letters after people. The very first letters from the united computer, animation, software, I'll call see if  Ai nerd society people of Gűler Altunbas Land bestowing honours: your deserve Rhian Hinkley "No label".  ssshhh ​

Nicky Tsourlenes

Photographer
"See me through my lens" 

FIRST NATIONS VIEWERS, LISTENERS, READERS ARE ADVISED THAT THIS SECTION OF THE WEBSITE CONTAINS IMAGES, VIDEOS, VOICES AND NAME OF A DECEASED PERSON.

Late Uncle Greg Muir Yorta Yorta

Visual Artist
"Standing on this land", 

Sandy Jeffs OAM

Writer/ Poet
"Make a stern God laugh and move angels to tears"

Heidi Everett

Producer/ Illustrator/ Writer
"Discussing around a campfire" 

Dr Bon Mott _/\_ identifies as lightning, and non-binary.

Sculptor/ Curator
"Trickster"

Larissa MacFarlane

Printmaker/ Street Artist
"Disability pride not ableism" 

Chelle Destefano

Performance Artist 
"Calling out audism" 

Raphael, 'The Beurologist' Kaleb,​

Photographer/ Spoken Word 

Review of Human First?

"Ready, set, snap" 

 
Annabelle Pacos

Musician
"It'l come to you" ​
Güler views accessibility as a creative challenge rather than as a hurdle. The tangible exhibition will take place at the Dax Centre in Parkville, with parallel accessible digital platforms for the show, both on a dedicated website as well as that of the Dax Centre. Presenting this physically as well as online allows me to show the work in a variety of formats that will meet the access needs of as many people as possible to also increase diversity in terms of audiences.
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Artists with disability are largely invisible in the contemporary art scene. Many disabled artists face barriers that exclude them from the wider art community, including funding, exhibitions, and recognition. Human First? will showcase the talent in the disabled art scene and uncover the difficulties faced by the disability sector when attempting to enter the ‘mainstream’ art world.  These are compelling stories that need to be told and to be heard, if they remain hidden then we are all poorer as a consequence.
 
"Human First? brang disabled artists together and created a network that fostered new relationships and a sense of belonging that many disabled artists crave. By articulating the needs and wants of a cross section of artists created a snapshot of the disability arts community as it stood during Covid if not still."                                  Güler Altunbas 2021
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It is important to her that the work is presented and continues to be online as this will reach the widest possible audience and allows those who are isolated at home to experience the exhibition. Accessibility is very important to her and she worked with Arts Access Victoria to ensure the exhibition meets the highest standards, including captioning and plain English where appropriate.
 Radio Interview​

Triple R radio host Beth Atkinson Quinton of The Glasshouse program, interviewed Güler about her Human First? Exhibition.
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Left: Güler Altunbas Right: Beth Atkinson Quinton
Triple R radio The Glasshouse programme is a space for spoken word artists, poets, sound makers, audio storytellers, emerging cultural leaders, thinkers, writers and anyone who celebrates story as a means of self-expression, self-representation and community-building.

Proud that my Human First? Project is seen to be a significant contribution to the Arts. 2024

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Supported by City of Melbourne Arts Grants​.
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​ Güler Altunbas 2000 - 2025