At a time when many of us are experiencing increased feelings of isolation, for the over 1% of Canadians who are deafblind, the pandemic has had an even stronger effect by placing limits on their efforts to communicate, whether it is to express themselves, engage with their social networks or even participate actively in their communities.
Yarn bombing has been a unique way to connect people virtually to express themselves through their yarn creations and share their efforts on social media.
June 2021 – Members of the deafblind community are joining a global awareness campaign to build awareness about people who are deafblind and engage in “yarn bombing” (a form of street art where yarn that is knit, crochet, or wrapped, adorns an object in a public space) across Canada through the month of June.
These tactile art installations will be constructed both nationally and provincially by people who have deafblindness, their families and loved ones, advocates, and Deafblind International networks to build awareness and influence people on a virtual scale across Canada.
Meet Burnaby’s Eco-sculpture cow and calf, and their friendly flock of sheep! The yarn bomb artwork has been created and displayed as a part of Deafblind Awareness Month. This patchwork quilt knits together a variety of colours and weaves to represent our wide variety of community groups that help to enable and support everyone.
The following BC communities will be participating in our Yarn-Bombing initiative:
Penticton: KVR Middle School
Vancouver: Sir James Douglas Elementary
Burnaby: Cow and Sheep at McGill Library