Arts company Extant showcases work from up-and-coming visually impaired artists

A performing arts company for visually impaired artists is celebrating its 25th anniversary in its new home in Brixton.

Extant’s work aims to increase the representation of visually impaired people in the arts and over the next three years.

It will shift its focus to innovating the arts sector with new disabled talent, taking a proactive role in creating an answer to the under-representation of disabled leaders.

To mark its anniversary, Extant is holding an event called Extant Evolve, encompassing a showcase of work from up-and-coming visually impaired artists.

This is followed by a celebratory drinks reception at Extant’s new home, Carlton Mansions, part of the newly opened Brixton House, formerly Oval House Theatre, in Coldharbour Lane on Friday, June 17.

The company said it recognises the “enormous privilege and responsibility” it has and for people with visual impairment in the UK, it will now open source its knowledge, so that other people can use it.

It says it wants to create “radical models of co-creative inclusion” that can evolve across disciplines and sectors.

The company said “visual impairment is something celebrated as a rich source of creative engagement that allows new perspectives to be born”.

The artistic director and chief executive of Extant, Maria Oshodi, said: “I am proud to have founded this company and steered it through 25 years of innovation, and even more excited now to be launching our plans for steady transition into bold horizons of new leadership.”

Pictured: From left, Alex Williams; Anthony Gough; Chloe MacCombe; Danielle Evans; Douglas Walker; Jake Sawyers; Judith MacCombe, and Megan John Picture: Extant