Annual Rushton Lecture with Ashok Mistry

Each year DaDa presents the Edward Rushton Social Justice Lecture on the United Nations International Day for People with Disabilities (3rd December) to keep alive the passion and fire demonstrated by Rushton, a Liverpool poet, activist, abolitionist and disabled man.

This year DaDa are thrilled to announce they have secured a fantastic and insightful keynote speaker for the event, Ashokkumar D Mistry, who will be exploring ‘Reclaiming Nonchalance’ the value of disabled lives, particularly exploring the value of the lives of disabled children and young people.

Disability Arts Online is supporting digital online delivery of this event. The live in-person event will be BSL interpreted.

Exploring ‘Reclaiming Nonchalance’
Reclaiming Nonchalance is an invitation to activate ambition through the self-care of actively thinking beyond other people’s expectations. The lecture will dissect artworld mechanics and interrogate how Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent artists are valued.

“We don’t want to have to be activists – however, it’s existential – instead, do we not want disabled artists to be able to make art that doesn’t exist to be worthy but ploughs its own course and the nonchalance of its substance is taken at face value”.

Limited by expectations disabled people are subject to ‘playing-to-the-gallery’ dynamics. Living beyond peoples’ expectations activates our own ambition and forces an understanding through genuine interaction. In this year’s Edward Rushton Lecture, Ashokkumar Mistry addresses the mechanisms for valuing people, valuing everyone.

The Rushton Lecture takes place on 3rd December 1-3pm 2023 in the Museum of Liverpool.

A limited number of tickets have been released, so head over to the Eventbrite to secure either a ticket to watch the event online or attend in person at Liverpool Musems.

If you find it sold out, do check back as more tickets will be added nearer the time.