Tom Shakespeare

Tom Shakespeare

Sociologist and Bioethicist

Oil on canvas, 30″ x 36″, 2011

Painting of Tom Shakespeare with his objects, a hat from world health org and a book of che Guevar

Tom Shakespeare has worked at the universities of Cambridge, Sunderland, Leeds and
Newcastle. He currently works at the World Health Organization in Geneva. Born
with restricted growth, he developed paraplegia at the age of 42. Tom has two
grown-up children, who share his condition. His books include ‘Disability
Rights and Wrongs and The Sexual Politics of Disability’, and he has made many
contributions to print and broadcast media. He is also a performer and writer
in the field of disability arts.

“I was honoured to be included in Tanya’s selection of sitters representative of
the diversity of disability culture. Having visited the Tate so often, it was
fun to be part of the display, not part of the audience, and to experience how
Tanya works as an artist.  When the doors opened in the afternoon, and random visitors trickled, sometimes flooded, into
our studio – we had some good banter but also I think, challenged some
preconceptions about disability.  It’s always strange and a little disturbing to see how other people see you, but I
look forward to seeing myself through Tanya’s eyes.”