Disabled, queer self-portrait artist Corinne has spent the past six years bed-bound due to chronic illness. From this 2m x 1.5m place of confinement, they have created The Severed Wing – a poetic live art performance exploring their lived experience of disability and isolation. Performed entirely from their bed, audiences witness Corinne grow wings, transform into a bird and escape into the woods outside their window. Using multiple camera feeds, projection and immersive sound design, the performance is streamed in real time into theatre, performance and gallery spaces, creating an intimate live encounter between one physical space and another.
Corinne said, “I live by the woods and hear birdsong from my bedroom window daily. Watch me, a disabled artist confined to bed, transform into a bird – my true self – and escape my confinement. “I hope to spark conversations on how housebound artists like myself can share live work remotely — and help shape a more inclusive, equitable future for the arts.”
Antonia Beck, Senior Artist Development Producer at Lowry, Salford said “The Severed Wing exemplifies the kind of ambitious, interdisciplinary work we’re proud to support at Lowry. It’s a vital statement about the leadership of disabled artists in contemporary performance – technically bold, creatively expansive, and deeply rooted in lived experience. Championing this kind of practice is central to our commitment to inclusive artist development and to presenting work that challenges, excites, and connects artists and audiences.
The Severed Wing is commissioned by Lowry supported using public funding from Arts Council England, alongside support from QUAD, Attenborough Arts Centre and Art Riot Collective in partnership with #CovConnects. Additional support from DASH ((Disability Arts in Shropshire) and Outside In.
The Severed Wing explores the use of different creative technologies to dissolve the physical barriers faced by bedbound artists. Corinne’s hybrid approach, rooted in practices developed during the COVID-19 lockdown, questions what the so-called ‘return to normal’ means for those who never left a state of isolation.
Through the development and touring of The Severed Wing, Corinne aims to establish and share a replicable practical approach for venues and programmers to better support bedbound artists in creating and presenting live work remotely. In Autumn 2025, The Severed Wing – commissioned by Lowry – will be streamed live from Corinne’s bed to audiences across the UK. The tour includes performances at: Lowry, Salford – Friday 14 November and QUAD, Derby – Thursday 27 November
Book now for The Severed Wing at thelowry.com
