Cathy Mager:
This week, Signature got in contact with Cathy Mager, founder and artistic director of Spectroscope, an international collective of artists that create sculptures and digital installations. Cathy uses her creativity as a way to empower young people to be leaders. As the director of BBC Sign Night, we were keen to learn more about Cathy’s passion to raise deaf awareness through art.
Carry on reading for more:
- Hi Cathy, first, could you please introduce yourself to our weekly Signature readers?
Hi, I am Cathy, and I am an artist, producer, and curator, specialising in artworks that tell stories about heritage, equality, and climate change.
- Can you tell us more about how you got into creating artistic installations?
I come from a very creative family, my mother was a deaf actress and TV presenter and my father an architect. So, I grew up surrounded by creative people and places. The foundation of my career in the arts comes from growing up around deaf sign language artists and performers. In my late teens I started out doing voluntary projects with young people, organising art retreats for deaf artists and even did face painting for deaf children. But as a I gained more experience, I progressed into paid roles in organising events and exhibitions for museums, galleries, and public places.
- Can you tell us more about ‘Spectroscope’?
I set up Spectroscope in 2021. Our mission is to create spectacular artworks for public places that reveal untold stories and envision a future in a climate changing world. We are a network of artists and design professionals and so far, we have created giant sign language projection artworks in Bristol and Shanghai. But in the future, we are planning a range of surprising installations in different public places.
- How do you use art to express yourself?
As a young person, I experienced a lot of social isolation. I have always had a wild imagination. I felt different to those around me and found it hard to relate and connect with others, deaf or hearing. People would sometimes say things like “It’s like you are living on a different planet Cathy!”. I realised that through curating art and making art, I could feel free to be me and not worry about fitting in. I began developing art installations with people, who were just as ‘weird’ as me, from all over the world. I worked in unusual spaces where people did not expect to encounter art such as at train stations, castles, rivers and even in caves. I loved how extraordinary experiences for audiences brought joy and wonder to their faces. Through my artwork, I found a way to connect with people and make a difference to their lives. Suddenly the strange planet I appeared to live on became a place everyone enjoyed visiting!
- You recently directed Sign Night, can you tell us more about the importance of this and how the idea came about?
During lockdown I realised many deaf people had been cut off and socially isolated. I wanted to find a way to raise awareness and draw attention to the impact of the pandemic on deaf people. I wanted to project the power of sign language onto public buildings to achieve this. But I also wanted it to be uplifting and empowering and gave people a sense of escapism. I applied to the Space for funding, and this led me to working with the hugely talented Vilma Jackson and Sophie Stone to develop a projection artwork which told the story of two lovers separated by lockdown both dreaming of a safe place they could reunite and be together again. Later the film was re-made to create a giant projection artwork for the Bristol Light Festival which was seen by 180,000 people over the course of one week.
- Out of all of your creations, which is your favourite and why?
It is difficult to single out a particular project. But it’s the work I do with young people, which is the most rewarding, I have worked with young carers, children in care, bereaved children, and children with mental health issues over the last 20 years. My Life Illuminated was an installation I led in collaboration with young people who had experienced neglect and abuse. We transformed the basement of the Royal Festival Hall with hundreds of beautiful handmade light artwork that explored the journeys and experiences of these young people in a profoundly moving way. It stays with me and inspires me daily.
- How important do you think the implementation of a BSL GCSE is?
I think that it is vital! Sign Language needs to be safeguarded but it is under threat. The BSL GCSE will bring greater awareness and use of BSL throughout society. The children that learn BSL at school will carry it with them into whatever life and career they pursue, taking the skills and knowledge of BSL with them. This will have a hugely positive impact on deaf people for generations to come.
- Have you faced any specific barriers or marginalisation and as a deaf creator?
The main barrier is intellectual. Hearing people sometimes struggle to trust deaf people, and perceive them to be less intelligent, less capable or managing large scale budgets or projects. So, I have to work hard to turn that opinion around. The other barrier is concentration and access fatigue from the effort to coordinate access needs and process information through lipreading or other means. So, I need to keep a close eye on my energy levels and find space and time for rest and recovery.
- Finally, do you have any future projects or specific aspirations in the coming months?
We are excited to be leading a major new artwork in Shanghai called Night Bloom commissioned by Unlimited and the British Council, which explores climate change and the biodiversity emergencies throughout a deaf perspective. It is being led completely by deaf people in every aspect and we cannot wait to share it with everyone. With a bit of luck, we may be able to bring it to the United Kingdom too!
Here at Signature, we would like to thank Cathy for telling us more about her though-provoking installations. It has been great to learn more about the message behind the Sign Night production. Like Cathy, we too hope to see ‘Night Bloom’ illuminated throughout cities in the UK! Best of luck for all your future endeavours.
