NEW YORK, NY – Blind recording artist, writer and activist Lachi has teamed up with some of the world’s best visual artists who identify as having a disability, to release an exclusive collection of NFT’s (non-fungible tokens) on the Foundation platform, to celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities (Dec 3).
Known for her award-winning vocal mastery, Lachi provides unique vocal-soundscapes to accompany four exquisite works of art created by renowned artists with disabilities, collectively titled Lachi X. Amongst the visual collaborators are artists with incredible stories including Clara Woods, Rachel Gadsden, Elijah Osborne and Tiffany Antosz.
Lachi is excited to finally unveil the pieces. “There’s nothing more beautiful than expressing unsung life experiences through art, telling a story that can only be expressed by you in your own way as its physical manifestation holds a unique creativity that only comes with having a disability. These pieces seek to weave two such experiences within two mediums (music and visual art) by two disabled artists who express life through creativity. I am excited to share these unique stories.”
Each piece tells its own distinctive story through the lens of the visual artist intertwined with Lachi’s unique portrayal of the piece through music. The collection will be rolled out on Foundation from December 3rd, which is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, as a celebration of disability art.
A proportion of each sale shall be given to the Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities (RAMPD) initiative. RAMPD’s mission is to serve the music and creative arts industries by amplifying disability culture, promoting inclusion, and advocating for accessibility. Funding raised by the cause goes to building a digital platform to connect disabled recording artists and music professionals with venues and opportunities that support equity and inclusion.
Lachi says it’s the perfect initiative to support these musical art pieces: “The pieces celebrate disability through the lens of music, and RAMPD amplifies disabled voices within the music industry, so the fit is perfect. But moreso, RAMPD promotes Disability Culture–the problem-solving prowess, creative art, music and voice birthed through identifying differently, and Lachi X is a result of such cultural identity.”
Each work of art on the Lachi X collection will roll out for auction on the Foundation website starting December 3rd.
How did you come up with the ideas?
There’s nothing more beautiful than expressing unsung life experiences through art, telling a story that can only be expressed by you in your own way as its physical manifestation holds a unique creativity that only comes with having a disability. These pieces seek to weave two such experiences within two mediums (music and visual art) by two disabled artists who express life through creativity. I am excited to share these unique stories.
What Makes this project unique?
I believe NFTs are a great medium for elevating Disability Culture. Disability Culture is a celebration of the diverse disability experience and is unapologetic, creative, innovative, is rooted in problem-solving, and is a vibrant counter-response to societal exclusion and oppression. It is not speeches and marches that will begin to break down societies walls, but amplifying disability culture, creative views and artistic experiences.
How big is the team and what are their roles?
The team’s got what I call, ‘Big Dis Energy’: the superior ability to problem solve and an innate sense of self-determination due to identifying as a person with a disability. High-level problem solving skills, heightened drive, and a strong sense of integrity. We’ve kept the wheels turning at pace, even through the newfound attention garnered by the PBS pilot, recent releases and subsequent press.
Lachi’s artistic career is currently managed by Ben Price of Harbourside Management. Legally blind, Ben sits on the BPI Equality Advisory Group and advocates for inclusion supported in part by Arts Council England. Keely Cat Wells, Lachi’s talent rep, is a Forbes 30-under-30 recipient for her work advocating disability representation in Hollywood, and co-founder in the WeThe15 disability awareness campaign, herself having a non-visible disability.
Lachi’s literary agent, Stephanie Hansen who is unilaterally deaf has inked major publishing deals, while Arthur, who identifies as neurodiverse, manages operations while doubling as operations director for the national Association of Executive Search Consultants. JD, also legally blind, handles administration, while the social media and outreach team consists of Sal Lopez and Jade Harrison, both legally blind.
What is the price?
Each piece will have a reserve price of 0.2 ETH.
Why is that price fair?
We feel this is good entry to market price for the pieces which are are a collaboration between me as the musical artist, the visual artist and in most cases an animator.We are celebrating artists with disability and each piece sold will see a donation to RAMPD (Recording Artists and Music Producers with Disability).
What is the Mint Size?
The pieces range from 11-45 MB.
Are there any mechanics we should know about?
Not specifically, the first piece will roll out on International Day of Persons with Disability on December 3rd. Watch this space to see the others mint!
What is Disability Culture and why should the NFT Community embrace it?
There are still systemic barriers to entry, evidenced in the makeup of the NFT community. Not only is there screaming lack of disability-forward NFTs, but the gap is large even for those identifying as a minority race or gender, and of course the gap is largest for those disabled artists intersectioned with race, ethnicity and gender. In attending NFT round-tables and information sessions, nearly all presenters were of the same race, sex and social status. In a market that is claiming to shake up the industry, why do we still see systemic residue? Let’s take the opportunity to really and truly shake things up, while the market is young, by broadening the makeup of the NFT community.
About Lachi
As seen in Forbes, Essence, Variety and NYTimes, Lachi is an award winning recording artist, charting songwriter, host of PBS segment ‘Renegades’ and award winning web series OffBeat. She recently appeared in a Mastercard Ad promoting tactile credit cards, and performed a passionate set highlighting her blindness journey at the Kennedy Center (Dec 2nd). Her disability advocacy has landed her discussions with the GRAMMYs, and White House representatives. Legally blind since birth, Lachi uses her platform to mainstream disability inclusion discussions, while amplifying pride and self-confidence within the disability community. Co-chair of GRAMMY’s NY Advocacy arm, Lachi is the go-to voice for disability representation in the Music Industry. Gaining notoriety for bringing positivity to the prefix “Dis”, she has been on a path to make Music Awards shows, venues and events accessible for artists and watchers alike. From high-heels to glittered canes, Lachi endeavors to showcase the fun, beauty and artistry within disability culture.
About Rachel Gadsden
Rachel Gadsden is a British multi-award-winning visual and performance artist who identifies as sight impaired. Rachel exhibits and performs nationally and internationally. Expressionist in approach, she creates solo exhibitions, performances and collaborative social engagement art projects with disabled and mainstream communities, through painting, performance, digital film, and animation, with the objective of creating cross-cultural dialogues on humanity.
About Clara Woods
Clara is a painter, model and influencer who grew up in Italy. While Clara cannot write, read, or speak, she uses her art to communicate large vivid ideas. Through a vital and artistic temperament full of explosive energy, Clara favours social inclusion in the world of the ‘invisible’ and invites us to expand our limited vision of the concept of disability.
About Elijah Osborne
An 18-year-old artist hailing from Philadelphia, Elijah Osborne has always had an extraordinary artistic mind. Adopted at an early age Elijah has faced many challenges throughout his young life including a diagnosis of Stargardt Disease. As a way to cope, Elijah turned to expression through drawing at four years old, and hasn’t stopped since.
About Tiffany Antosz
A painter and communications professional, Tiffany is an advocate for the blind, disabled and inclusive communities, herself being visually impaired and also having non-visible disabilities. Passionate and devoted to raising awareness of the many complex challenges of visual impairment, Tiffany combines her personal resilience with her professional expertise, her art, and her voice — transforming her personal vision challenges into global visibility and empowerment for all who are challenged in this area.
For more information please contact cassie@publifyrelations.com