We are proud to welcome Chloe Wigg as Ambassador for the 2026 Brisbane Disability Expo, taking place Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.
For award-winning artist, public speaker and advocate Chloe Wigg, creativity has always been about connection. Before becoming known for her vibrant and immersive artworks, Chloe worked as a paramedic. After being injured on the job, Chloe found herself spending long periods in hospitals, adjusting to a life she had never expected. As her world changed, art became an anchor.
She says, “With the art therapy that I did and just the ability to put all of my attention and focus into something colourful and beautiful, that just helped me cope with trying to get to know this new body that I inherited, and learn to love it and thank it for everything that it survived.”
When Chloe started experiencing myasthenia gravis, she lost the drive to continue her art practice. Through meeting people also living with MG and the wider disabled community, she eventually stepped back into art, not just as a form of self-expression, but as a way to help people through their hardships – the way she learned to as a paramedic.
Today, Chloe creates expressive fluid impressionist paintings built from layers of poured acrylic paint, while also using art as a vehicle for advocacy, inclusion and community connection.
But Chloe’s work extends well beyond art. Drawing on her lived experience of disability, she has become a passionate advocate for inclusion, accessibility and helping people recognise their own strengths. Through her creative projects, public speaking and leadership work, she encourages people to celebrate their individuality and find joy in self-expression.
“When I am feeling really bad, colourful art makes me feel better… Now I love helping others who have different abilities create art that makes them happy. ” she says.
For Chloe, the Brisbane Disability Expo is ultimately about connection. Having attended disability events herself, she understands how valuable it can be to discover new solutions, connect with others and feel welcomed in a space designed with accessibility in mind.
“I came to a Disability Expo last time and thought, ‘Wait, there’s a solution for that?’ It was a way of finding solutions to problems that I didn’t realise had become quite big problems in life,” she says.
As Ambassador, Chloe is most looking forward to meeting attendees and hearing their stories. “I love meeting people. I love hearing stories,” she says. “Your past and the things you deal with in everyday life do not have to define you and do not have to limit you. That’s hopefully what I can inspire in people.”
She also hopes to shine a light on the strengths and capabilities of people with disability.
“It’s important for people to realise how capable they are,” she says. “You can’t be what you can’t see, and having people and opportunities that inspire others and show them what they really can achieve is so important.”
She will bring this to life at the Brisbane Disability Expo through her new project Adapted, which investigates what is gained in function – and lost in identity. A key part of the project is DecorATe, which invites people to decorate their AT or an everyday item. At the expo you will find Chloe at her DecorATe booth, except for when she is on stage between 11am and 12pm on Friday.
“No one should ever have to feel like they have to justify or prove their disability. And no one should feel excluded just because they might be able-bodied. So I want everyone to feel accepted and welcome. Anyone is welcome at the DecorATe booth at the Expo.”
About the Brisbane Disability Expo
The Brisbane Disability Expo brings together disability-specific products and services, employment opportunities, support organisations and community connections, all under one accessible roof.
Designed with accessibility at its core, the Expo features live captioning on stage, a Quiet Hour on Saturday from 9am–10am, trained assistance animal‑friendly spaces, accessible parking and drop‑off zones, and free wheelchair hire on site.
Catch Chloe live on stage on Friday, 30 October at 11:00 am. Afterwards, express yourself with her DecorATe community activity at Booth S2.
Held in the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Friday 30 & Saturday 31 October, the Expo is free to attend. Register at www.brisbanedisabilityexpo.com.au/attend-expo/
Learn more about Chloe’s amazing work at www.chloewigg.com/