Cerebral Palsy No Barrier to Art
Dan Keplinger’s Paintings Explore the Experience of Disability
Aug 4, 2009
Dan Keplinger was born dead — or so his doctor thought. Dan revived himself, but oxygen deprivation resulted in cerebral palsy.
After years of special schooling in his native Baltimore, Dan enrolled at Parkville High School at age 16. It was here he was first given the opportunity to express himself through art. It’s a rigorous process: unable to use his hands, Dan paints with a head stick on sheets of unstretched canvas measuring 4’ by 5’. Friends prepare his paints and canvases; subjects often come from Dan’s extensive collection of photographs
By age 9, Dan had already been “discovered” by filmmakers Susan Hadary and William Whiteford who featured in him their documentary on educating disabled children, “Beginning With Bong.” That project, and Dan’s artistic development and perseverance inspired a second Hadary-Whiteford film, King Gimp, which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary in 2000, the same year Dan had his first art show.
Keplinger's work has been exhibited throughout the United States and he lectures widely on art and accessibility.
Dan Keplinger Discusses Accessible Art
Suite101: What does the phrase “accessible art” mean to you?
DK: I would like to see more fine art made accessible to the disabled. I think people still are scared to let our true feelings be expressed by art. People still want to see the crafts and greeting cards, where my art lets out the dark side. I think art should be used as a tool for self-expression and building one’s self esteem.
Suite101: When you paint, do you perceive an audience you hope to address?
DK: When I start a piece, I just think of what I have to say and not who is going to view it. I know people are not going to view my work as I do, but everyone can get the overall message.
Suite101: Do you feel your art speaks more to the disabled or non-disabled?
DK: This issue came up in my graduate work, since my new work is more about being disabled and challenges in everyday life. I think everyone has struggles each day, so my work can make anyone realize they have the tools to overcome them.
Suite101: Do you remember when you realized you had a gift and need to create?
DK: I always liked and did art, but in high school my teacher started to give me the tools to have art say what I wanted. My art speaks what I would be saying with words and the feelings that are inside of me. Those feelings would make people close to me scared and worried. Maybe I want people to see these feelings so they know everything is not happy in my world.
King Gimp Launched Keplinger’s National Reputation
Suite101: How has the success of King Gimp helped your career?
My artwork skyrocketed in the public eye. People are more willing to take time to understand me. I do not know if they now realize that I do have something to say, or if what I do say just blows them away. I have spent a year or more doing speaking tours talking to many different types of groups. Wherever I go people recognize me, particularly after I did the Super Bowl commercial for Cingular Wireless to promote self-expression. Inside I am still very much the same person, but it does feel good to be respected and appreciated for who I am.
Though much of Keplinger’s art addresses disability (e.g., his wheelchair is a frequent image), its deeper message is that everyone faces daily challenges, with different ways of dealing with them. Keplinger’s art is a monument to perseverance.
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