What was meant to be a temporary art installation created for a McMaster student’s major research project has found its forever home on a wall in Mills Memorial Library.
Isabel Diana, artist of Don’t Push Us Under the Rug, recently completed her master’s degree in gender studies and social justice at McMaster University, graduating in August 2024. She also holds a bachelor of fine arts with a major in printmaking and a minor in art and social change from the Ontario College of Art & Design University and a master of fine arts in print media from Pacific Northwest College of Art.
During her time as a student at McMaster, Diana was required to complete a major research project as a knowledge in action and arts-based creation. She chose to create an art installation called Don’t Push Us Under the Rug, accompanied by a guidebook based on her experience navigating graduate school.
“My biggest barrier coming to McMaster was being a graduate student with a disability and how radically different that looks from an undergraduate with a disability,” said Diana.
“At the graduate level, many people don't know about resources on campus. My program was a one-year masters, which is a very short period of time to get your supports in place, to feel comfortable, to know where to go when you need help, and to be ready to take on everything all at the same time. That's where the project and the installation really came from.”
When Diana learned of the opportunity to have her art installed in Mills library, she toured the space with employees of the libraries to figure out where to display her work. She found a blank wall on the second floor, just outside of the Campus Accessible Tech Space and Library Accessibility Services, a moment she describes as serendipitous.
“I think we all felt that it was the perfect place for it, and no one can imagine it somewhere else,” said Diana. “I couldn't be happier with where it's landed, who it's supporting, and who sees it.”
The textile artwork features five individually framed, bright and colourful tufted rugs made using a tufting gun. Diana designed a custom typeface for the text portion of the installation, and had an original sketch blown up in size and printed to create the vibrant backdrop seen behind the frames. The backdrop was made possible by the support and donation of Media Production Services.
During the one-year installation period, the artwork was accompanied by a basket which held copies of her Helping Hand guidebook, which includes information for McMaster graduate students seeking accommodation.
The installation’s affirming statement, written by Diana at the start of the project, gives viewers a sense of the inspiration behind the artwork and guidebook. It reads: “No one is perfect; everyone needs a little help. The notion that everything is easy and life does not require a helping hand every now and again is false. Instead, let this wall reminder you that we (the disability/neurodiverse community) know it is hard, but at the end of the day, you are not alone.”
As the installation period came to an end, McMaster University Libraries decided to purchase the piece to be a permanent fixture in Mills library.
Lynne Serviss, associate university librarian, User Services and Community Engagement, says the purchase was made to support student-created work and to add vibrancy to the space.
“Isabel’s art adds such a positive energy to the library,” said Serviss. “We are thrilled to support such an important and powerful message and to give a permanent home to artwork created by a McMaster student.”
Diana says Don’t Push Us Under the Rug fits into the recurring theme she incorporates into her other artwork, which she has branded as ‘Tropical Glow Baby Production.’ The word ‘tropical’ refers to the bright and vibrant colour palettes she incorporates, with the goal of reflecting South American culture. The word ‘glow’ hints at the happy feeling she works to express through her art, while the word ‘baby’ is a nod to the fact that she often pulls from her childhood when searching for inspiration.
“‘Tropical Glow Baby’ is this idea of, if it doesn't bring you joy and you can't experience it like a toddler having the best day ever, why did we make it?” said Diana.
As for what’s next for Diana, she says artistically it’s unclear, but that she plans to continue coordinating a program called Grads are Rad, which works to support graduate students with disabilities at McMaster.
The idea for Grads are Rad was born out of Diana vocalizing concerns about the lack of resources for graduate students with disabilities during her time as a student.
In collaboration with Andrea Cole from the School of Graduate Studies, they applied for a grant through the MacPherson Institute for Leadership, Innovation and Excellence in Teaching, which allowed funding for the program.
While Grads are Rad isn’t directly linked to Don’t Push Us Under the Rug, Diana says the two are aligned through their connection to a shared community.
“I just want people to know that they matter and that they're not alone,” she said. "I know how many times I've felt alone and that stigma. We're not alone on this campus, people with disabilities, if you counted us, we would outshine in numbers.”
Learn more
To read the Helping Hand guidebook, visit Isabel Diana’s online portfolio.
To learn more about Grads are Rad, visit the McMaster University website’s Grads are Rad webpage.
