Garry Robson (1952-2024) was an incredible teacher, creative practitioner and advocate for disabled people everywhere. Here his friend, Critical Friends Group Facilitator Adrian Watts, pays tribute to him.
“Garry wasn’t just a colleague I worked and adventured with for nearly 20 years. He was a friend, a mentor, a supporter and an ally. That’s why I was overjoyed when he joined the other amazing members of our new Critical Friends Group in 2023.
I knew he would not only bring his own lived experience to Liverpool Biennial but his great knowledge, humour, kindness and openness to learn from diverse and fresh perspectives. He had a special ability to give the benefit of the doubt when an organisation was trying hard, and to offer constructive guidance towards the best, most accessible ways to reach everyone. But he also never suffered fools and would quickly pick up on and call out laziness and ignorance. This made him one of the best and is why he was a true advocate for disabled people across the UK and the world.
Garry leaves a vast and very special legacy. Not only of his brilliant talent and creativity in theatre and the arts, but within a huge cohort of d/Deaf, disabled and non-disabled actors, artists and creatives that have been supported, championed and shaped by his wonderful mind.
He will be truly missed and has left a special, Garry-shaped, space in our hearts that will be filled with beautiful, touching and some downright hilarious memories.”
Adrian Watts – July 2024