Harris, Takiyah

Takiyah C. Harris

Public contact information: takiphotography@gmail.com
Website: takiphoto.fotomerchant.com

Artist statement:

I am Haptic Art Artist and Fine Art Photographer.  I am involved in De’VIA since 2014 because I started to gather more information about Black Deaf History including my ancestry from my family’s sides.  I wanted to share my experiences with you about the oppression, Deaf experience, Deafhood and others.  I am spending my time working on the compositions with the texture materials because I wanted to feel the connection to various artworks. Most of Haptic art artworks are giving you the narrative stories and interpretation about Black History.  Most of artworks are influenced by Jacob Lawerence and Emroy Douglass.

I am holding two Bachelor degrees from Southern Illinois University
and Governors State University.  Also, I have an associate degree from
National Technical Institute for the Deaf/Rochester Institute of
Technology. I had been involved in various galleries around the Chicago
area and out of the state.

 

“Don’t neglect from Deaf Baby” (2015) by Takiyah Harris

“Don’t neglect from Deaf Baby” (2015)
Haptic Art
14 x 11
$40.00

During the 1950’s, many hearing parents were afraid to bring their Deaf or Hard of Hearing child(ren) into the hearing world, because society would not accept people with  disabilities.  The colored parents were covered by the texture bags to signify that they felt embarrassment or pressure.  The colored parents were worried about the negative words about their Deaf baby.  The Deaf baby had no idea why his parents decided to cover themselves with bags to avoid him.

The artwork was inspired by Rene Magritte “The Lovers”, 1928.

“Hands Holding” (2015) by Takiyah Harris

“Hands Holding” (2015)
Haptic art
18 x 12
40.00

I grew up with the Total Communication method and started to develop a better relationship with my mother after she attended Parent Sign Language classes.  Some teachers were not friendly to me and gave me some punishments for no reason  (for example: I had to go to the booth).  My emotions were a disaster and I didn’t understand why I was in trouble.  I suffered because of the communication barrier and I was not able to express my feelings to my mother.  My mother suspected this but the school didn’t tell my mother what is going. The situation became worse and more complicated.  A new teacher arrived to the Deaf Program at the mainstream school and was uncomfortable to see Deaf or Hard of Hearing students weren’t learning the same material as their Hearing classmates. The new teacher was willing to give up her time and teach me more information about Math, Social Science, English and Reading.  My education was improving much better and the teacher made the suggestion to my mother about going to the Illinois School for the Deaf.  My mother took this advice and discussed with me about self esteem, diverse people, education, leadership and sports.  I decided to go to Illinois School for the Deaf during my high school years during which my self esteem improved and I started to accept my identity as a Deaf person.

The artwork was inspired by Betye Saar.