Interview: Sabrina Tirvengadum
Sabrina Tirvengadum is a visual artist and co-founder of We’re All Human, an online hub of resources about accessible design.
We caught up with Sabrina to find out more about the challenges she has faced as a deaf artist, and how they have inspired her to help improve inclusivity in the creative industries...
Hi Sabrina! To start, tell us a little bit about what you do…
I am a British Mauritian born in East London, Leyton. I have moderate to severe hearing loss and I rely on lip reading. When I was younger, I learned how to hide and suppress my struggles with hearing loss. This was due to the ableism ingrained in my culture and Western society.
To open up a dialogue about disability justice and identity, I turned to protest art. I am one of the co-founders of We’re All Human. We’re a group of creatives working to build an inclusive culture in digital spaces. We empower small business owners and content creators to make their content accessible.
These days, I fluctuate between different titles but I am most connected to Visual Artist. I create collages from magazine cut-outs, vivid digital illustrations, bold graphics and photography.
What was your experience like at high school?
I grew up in the 90s and went to a rough East London school. There would be regular fights, bullying and disruptions in class. I hid my hearing loss throughout school and it affected how well I did. I struggled to follow lessons but I had the typical attitude instilled in me, to “just get on with it”. I was predicted D’s and below and I miraculously ended up with B's and C's.
In those days, they didn’t have any graphic design at school so Art was all we had. In Art class, I remember being the ideas girl and helping others figure out their concepts. I have vivid happy memories of playing around in the darkroom hidden at the back of a class. Another reason I loved Art so much is that it was the moment of silence that everyone consented to.
Did your school teach you about the creative industries?
There were no resources about the creative industries at my school. It would have been an amazing opportunity to receive guidance, especially as a working-class person of colour.
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Another reason I loved Art so much is that it was the moment of silence that everyone consented to.
Were your family and teachers supportive of you pursuing your passion?
Some of my family in Mauritius are creative graphic designers, musicians and painters. It was nice to have been able to not have any negative reactions to my skill set.
I did have a tutor at secondary school who used to be positive and encouraging toward me. He was a teacher on the Channel 4 documentary series Educating Cardiff. That show gives you another idea of what school was like for me.
How did you end up working in the creative industries?
After my A Levels, I decided to take an Art Foundation course which led me to Graphic Design. However, I was still feeling connected to Photography. I went to LCP which was an amazing opportunity but it was not the vibe I was hoping for. I felt like a black sheep in a different herd.
I decided to study Photographic Arts at the University of Westminster. I felt recognised there. After the recession hit, I became a retoucher and I decided to study Web Design. I started to work for a few e-commerce fashion companies and continued to be a digital designer. During the pandemic, I came across more barriers and my hearing loss became more apparent. I gravitated toward Art to express my feelings. As part of this, I also started to research accessibility.
How do you know when you are on the right path?
When I'm able to express my creativity and contribute to social justice, then I know I am on the right path. When I truly struggled with my identity in a space I would lose energy and joy. That’s a clear sign for me to make changes and head over to happiness.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced during your career?
To just get promoted. When I became a designer and turned up in the corporate world, I felt like I didn’t belong there. I spent 10 years working in that industry and helping others improve their skill set. I continued to lose confidence as my efforts were not recognised.
Why didn’t I get promoted? I can never be 100% sure. Businesses talk about equal rights for women but how often does that include women of colour? How often are dark-skinned or disabled people at the top of the food chain? And if they are, is it just to demonstrate how diverse the business is? These are the questions corporations need to be asking themselves.
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How often are dark-skinned or disabled people at the top of the food chain?
How did you overcome this obstacle in your career path?
After getting long Covid, I re-evaluated my life. I realised that what was important to me was to live the life I wanted and to help others along the way. This is what led me to create We’re All Human. One thing I would have done differently is build my confidence and not be so compliant. This life journey is about finding out about your purpose and living it. People can give you guidance but it is up to you how much you want to listen.
Finally, what advice would you offer a young person who was interested in following a similar path?
It’s cheesy but I say: follow your heart. Don’t feel confined to the one role you are given. You can have multiple titles. Embrace mistakes because they will make you better at what you do.
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