Dan Keplinger is an American artist and motivational speaker born with cerebral palsy. Dan Keplinger's life was featured in the Academy Award-winning short film King Gimp.
Biography
Dan Keplinger was born on January 19, 1973. Since childhood, he suffered from cerebral palsy (cerebral palsy). He received his primary education at a school for children with disabilities, and at the age of 16 he entered Parkville High School in Maryland. He graduated from Towson University in 1998 with a degree in Mass Communication.
He is currently livelier in Towson, Maryland and enjoys drawing. Dan frequently attends schools and other educational institutions as a guest motivational speaker. In his speeches, he says that with a certain amount of determination, everyone can achieve whatever they want.
Dan Keplinger is married to Dana Haggler. Their wedding took place in April 2009.
Nickname
According to The Baltimore Sun, Dan Keplinger received the nickname "King Gimp" as a child. This nickname was given to him by the neighbors' children due to the fact that the Keplinger house was located on the top of a hill. And Dan himself often liked to slide down this hill in his wheelchair. Dan calls himself "Fighting Spirit."
Keplinger often tells his audience that "Gimp" means "fighting spirit" to him. This is what he tried to convey to viewers during the filming of the Super Bowl commercial for Cingular Wireless in 2001.
Keplinger's work
Through the mediation of the school, Keplinger participated in many exhibitions of artwork and won prizes in many. Subsequently, his work began to be exhibited at all exhibitions in Maryland with the support of the Very Special Arts. In 1993, he became a Special Special Arts Artist for an exhibition hosted by the Zubi Blake Cultural Center in Baltimore. Keplinger's work is currently exhibited exclusively at the Phyllis Kind Gallery in SOHO, New York.
Keplinger held his first solo exhibition in May 2000. He has participated in several exhibitions throughout the country, including:
- eMotion Picture 2001-2002;
- Orthopedics in Art Exhibition (San Francisco, California);
- screening at the Herbst International Exhibition Hall in Presidio (San Francisco and Washington, DC);
- an exhibition at the Millennium Arts Center (Cultural Center in Chicago, Illinois);
- exhibition at the United Nations (New York).
- art exhibition “Great Expressions” for the Cerebral Palsy Association 2000 and 2001;
- Exhibition in Towson, Pratt Convention Center, hosted by Shepard M. D.
Large canvases with an abundance of bright colors prevail in Keplinger's works. Many of the paintings are self-portraits.
Keplinger himself says the following about his art: “At first glance, my work seems to be about my perception of society and how I overcome it. I include a picture of my wheelchair because it is my main mode of transportation and a major part of my daily life, but this work is much more than my disability. Obstacles and challenges are a universal part of the human condition. We all encounter them in our daily lives, but we also have choices about how we deal with them. Many of us are likely to be disappointed during difficult times in our lives. In my work, I hope to show everyone that they have the ability to continue."
“When I start work, I just think about what I have to say, not who will see it. I know that people will not look at my work the way I do, but everyone can get an overall impression."
Documentaries
In 1983, Susan Hadary and William Whiteford introduced Keplinger in their documentary Beginning with the Bong, which focused on education for disabled children.
Subsequently, these same directors shot a second documentary, King Gimp, dedicated to Keplinger. King Gimp won the 2000 Academy Award for Best Documentary. The film also won a Peabody Award and was nominated for a National Emmy Award.
In 2004, the same filmmakers produced a sequel to King Gimp called The Miracle King.
In 2001, Dan was featured in the national television commercial for the Cingular Wireless Super Bowl, which USA Today ranked number one.
King Gimp
King Gimp is a 1999 short documentary that won an Oscar in 2000 and a Peabody Award the same year. The painting depicts the life of artist Dan Keplinger of Towson, Maryland, suffering from cerebral palsy. The film is directed by Susan Hannah Hadary and William A. Whiteford of the University of Maryland. Produced by Video Press and Tapestry International Productions, finalized by Geof Bartz ACE.
Filming began when Keplinger was only 13 years old. The filmmakers met with him as part of federal-funded documentary projects related to children with disabilities. In cerebral palsy, Keplinger has little control over the muscles in his arms, legs, and mouth. Therefore, he had to attach a brush to his head and paint in this way. He could neither speak nor dress.
Filmmakers greeted him and taped Keplinger's move from a public school for disabled children to Parkville High School, as well as a move from his mother's house to his first apartment.
The picture includes many other moments of his personal life: his first art exhibition, his relationship with a young woman hired to help Dan with household chores, and even his tears on the day he graduated from college.
Dan Keplinger was actively involved in the making of the film. Using his professional knowledge in the field of mass communications, the artist helped write the script for the motion picture. But, unfortunately, the creators did not have enough money to complete the film to the end. Then all the rights to the picture were acquired by HBO, who also provided funds to complete the filming.
The film was edited from filmed recordings and based on Keplinger's own memoirs at the filmmakers' office in Baltimore. But the final editing and post-production was done in New York. The result is a 39-minute motion picture on 16mm film.
The film was nominated for an Academy Award and won it. Keplinger caused a splash at the Oscars by jumping out of his wheelchair in excitement.
