The Daring Young Girl on the Flying Trapeze (artist's cut)

As a child Nancy Willis dreamt of joining the circus, longing for freedom and adventure. Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and a prognosis not to live beyond her twenties, the now 65-year-old artist invites us into her world. Combining hard hitting memories of societal discrimination with the depth and beauty of everyday moments, she opens up about vulnerability, self-exploration, family and maternity. This is a stark reminder of the treatment of disabled people, but also a remarkable story of a woman who refused to be broken by society’s limited expectations of her. The narrative meanders seamlessly between the grounded and the dream-like. A rich tapestry of artwork, observation and archive, illustrates the challenges of physical deterioration, but also the infinite possibilities of imagination.