The Deaf Arts Residency (DAR) collective started in 2022. It was formed by a group of deaf artists who wanted a space to make art in a deaf-led, Auslan-first environment — a space that centred Deaf culture, language and leadership.

DAR was started by artists with a shared vision for this kind of space. The founding members are Catherine Dunn, Elizabeth Reed, Jaycob Campbell (a.k.a Gonketa), Jas Shirrefs, Luke D. King, Raquel Fasano, and Ravi Vasavan.

We are a group of artists with different styles and stories. We are connected by language and culture, and by a shared drive to challenge how deaf art is seen and understood — both in the community and by wider society.