![[IMG: Love is Blind - Thumbnail]](loveisblind.jpeg)
The City Voice, June 2-8, 1998
Visually impaired artists find innovative ways to create
One of the pieces that artist Alison Ulman created for the exhibit is a personal statement on the word “blind.” Printed in bold, capital letters across a long sheet of translucent paper, her message was designed to be read while listening to a short tape recording illustrating the insensitivity of those who obviously take their sight for granted.
A car salesman hawks his wares during an auto commercial by proclaiming, “Anybody who can’t see the difference must be blind!”
Etta James sings, “Baby, baby, baby, I’d rather be blind ... than to see you walk away from me.”
“It’s often used to imply stupidity or being totally without a clue,” says Ulman. “The word becomes a symbol of incompetence and it's totally wrong.”
A local artist who turns 40 next week, Ulman worked as a carpenter until a virus robbed her of most of her sight 10 years ago. Now she works as a massage therapist, but believes many employers have been reluctant to hire her because she is visually impaired.
“I don’t see clearly,” says Ulman. “I’m like Ms. Magoo. Recently, I’ve been trying to hide it and getting caught and not hired, so I’m up front about it now.”© Alison Ulman 2001