Service Animals Allowed

Fran Ledonio Flaherty

2019. Series of four digital prints on archival cotton rag, 22 x 30 inches.

This series of prints document Flaherty’s experiences as a “brown American woman married to a white man” whose Deafness is also often non-apparent to strangers. In restaurants and other settings, Flaherty’s access to a service animal is often questioned. In these works, Flaherty reflects on her crip rituals of negotiating access.

In capturing the ways that others question her Deafness and mobility disabilities, she invites the audience to reflect on stereotypes about disability.

yellow labrador with service animal vest with text "service dog"

Written Image Description:

A digital print of a front facing yellow labrador with a service animal vest at a sit position on antique-like light brown paper. Slightly below the image of the dog are the words “service dog” in all caps.

yellow labrador with service animal vest looking attentively at tall white man with text "service animals allowed"

Written Image Description:

A digital print of a side facing yellow labrador with a service animal vest and a smiling white man in a blue shirt and olive pants. The dog is in a sitting position on the left of the paper, attentively looking at the man . The image is printed on antique-like light brown paper. Slightly below the image of the dog are the words “service animals allowed” in all caps.

yellow labrador with service animal vest looking attentively at short brown woman with text "service animals not allowed"

Written Image Description:

A digital print of a side facing yellow labrador with a service animal vest and a brown woman in black pants and a grey blouse. The dog is in a sitting position on the left of the paper, attentively looking at the woman . The image is printed on antique-like light brown paper. Slightly below the image of the dog are the words “service animals not allowed” in all caps.

yellow labrador with service animal vest in between tall white man and short brown woman looking attentively at tall white man with text "service animals allowed"

Written Image Description:

A digital print of a side facing yellow labrador with a service animal vest. To the right of the dog is a white man with a blue shirt and olive colored pants. To the left of the dog is a brown woman in black pants and a grey blouse. The dog is in a sitting position in the middle of the paper, attentively looking at the man . The image is printed on antique-like light brown paper. Slightly below the image of the dog are the words “service animals allowed” in all caps.

Installation view of works by Fran Ledonio Flaherty at Doris McCarthy Gallery. Photograph by Michelle Peek Photography*.

Written Image Description:

Gallery view of artwork by Fran Flaherty. Four prints hung on a white wall. The leftmost picture depicts a photograph of a dog with the words ‘Service Animal’ written underneath on a white background. The picture adjacent depicts a photograph of a dog sitting beside a standing man. The words ‘Service Animals Allowed’ is written underneath. The next picture adjacent depicts a photograph of a dog sitting beside a standing woman. The words ‘Service Animals Not Allowed’ is written underneath. The rightmost picture depicts a photograph of a dog sitting beside a standing man and woman with the words ‘Service Animals Allowed’ written underneath.

Written Image Description:

A picture hung on a white wall, which depicts a photograph of a dog with the words ‘Service Animal’ written underneath.

Fran Ledonio Flaherty’s Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @fcflaherty