HearMe Event

The audience listens to presentations at the HearMe Report launch event

Art Exhibition & speakers

What does a world of hearing equality look like and how can we work together to bring it closer? On Friday 5 March 2021, Soundfair launched The HearMe Report – a document that centres the lived experiences of people with hearing conditions and identifies ten priority areas for society-wide action.

Upon arrival, attendees were invited to explore the HearMe art installation; an immersive experience by Kate Disher-Quill that drew on the elements from the report and simulates some of the physical, social, and emotional impacts of a range of hearing conditions to stimulate fresh understanding and empathy.

Some of the portraits at the HearMe event were mounted on walls, with stories of lived experience. — The HearMe immersive art exhibition, by Kate Disher-Quill, centred lived experiences of people with hearing conditions and explored ideas of inclusion and identity.

A variety of hearing aids were on display as part of the HearMe art exhibition. — Kate Disher-Quill invited attendees to consider design as a crucial element in destigmatising hearing devices.

The report was launched with support from The Hon Mark Coulton MP and keynote speakers, including Suzanne Waldron and Dr Caitlin Barr. Livestreamed with captioning and Auslan interpreters, the presentatations can be watched here:

Art exhibition, supported by Specsavers

Soundfair has commissioned Kate Disher-Quill to respond to the HearMe Report with an immersive, multimedia exhibition.

Kate Disher-Quill is a Melbourne based artist working across photography, film, publication and multimedia. Her debut solo exhibition Right Hear, Right Now featured as part of Sydney’s Head On Photo Festival and toured to PhotoAccess in Canberra and No Vacancy in Melbourne in 2016. The project was developed into the publication Earshot, which portrays the myriad of experiences of Deafness and hearing loss. Earshot has received high recognition within the arts, health and audiology industries for intersecting art and storytelling with health and education.

Kate’s most recent practice involves the process of Knowledge Translation, a collaborative and multidimensional approach with academics, health professionals and consumers of health services by using art to build capacity and understanding within healthcare. Kate has spoken at various arts and education institutes including National Gallery of Victoria and Art Gallery NSW and is a proud advocate for access, representation and inclusion of people with disability, particularly within the arts and media.

Supported by: