Sorenson Video Relay Service, Sorenson VRS

« Deaf Community News

News and updates about Sorenson VRS products and features and the Deaf community

« Hearing Health Providers News

Hearing loss news and trends for hearing health professionals

« Hard-of-Hearing News

News and updates about living well with hearing loss and getting the most out of CaptionCall and CaptionCall Mobile

« Veteran Provider News

News and resources for VA audiologists and Veteran service providers

Play Video
Community Spotlight: Artist Bob Taylor
Robert (Bob) Taylor copyrighted what has become a historic piece of Deaf art in 1974 — 50 years ago! He shares his thoughts about the impact of the symbol that became part of Deaf culture 🤟

When we found out that Bob Taylor was marking the 50th anniversary of the copyright for his iconic image of an “I love you (ILY)” handshape against a red heart background, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to sit down with him.

Bob was happy to tell the story of how and why he came up with that design and the impact of the image 50 years ago to now.

Transcript:

Cathy: Hello, Bob.

Bob: Hello.

Cathy: Hi. My name is Cathy Holt, and I am an ambassador for Sorenson. I am pleased and honored to be able to talk to you today and ask some questions about your work and your experience.

Now, your name is Robert Taylor. Do you have a name sign?

Bob: I go by Bob.

Cathy: Bob? Okay.

Bob: Yep.

Bob Taylor’s inspiration for the I Love You handshape/red heart drawing

Cathy: Got it. All right. So I'll just call you Bob. My first question. When you first drew that I love you sign with the red heart shape around it, what was your inspiration?

Bob: Well, before I answer that question, first of all, I wanted to say thank you to you, to Steven, and also to Sorenson for giving me the opportunity to do this interview. I really appreciate it. It's the first time that I've had the opportunity to be interviewed by Sorenson.

So to answer your question, I created that during my college days. You know, during that time there, you know, the hippie movement was fairly strong. The war. You know, there were a lot of things going on culturally, and during that time in that generation, there are ways of thinking that, you know, were just then different than they are now. And there were a lot of different symbolic hand shapes or hand movements that were being used:

  • hang loose in Hawaii
  • Black Panthers had their movement
  • Women's rights

So I looked around and I thought, you know, I the Deaf culture, the Deaf community doesn't really have anything like that at that moment in time.

So I started with just a drawing  of the I Love You sign. I started wearing that on a shirt that I made, and people asked me if the symbol or the handshape meant F U, and I had to clarify that it actually meant "I love you."

People were confused. So I went back to the drawing board and I decided to put the heart and the I love you hand together. It's kind of simple math, you know? Heart plus I love you handshape together makes a heart with I love you on it. It's pretty, pretty clear what that means.

So, you know, at that point it wasn't an easy path to take. It took some time. You know, I started, and after a few months in the college store a lot of people were asking for the I Love You hand shirts. So it kind of went from there.

Community reaction to ILY handshape drawing in 1974

Cathy: Once that got out there, what was the community’s reaction, how did they react at first?

Bob: Well, during those times when I was in college, there were a lot of deaf individuals who saw the shirt, who saw the icon. They were excited to buy it. They were excited that was in the store. You know, hearing people, interpreters, deaf people, they were all interested in buying it. So it did start to spread. People thought it was a great idea and it kind of moved on from there. And it is what it is now.

Cathy: And as far as when you saw people, what was the reaction you saw from them?

Bob: It was a very positive reaction. I had an interview with another company. And during that, you know, I really emphasize that it wasn't about me. It was about the “I love you” handshape.

That's a part of the deaf community. The deaf community owns it. Anyone can use it with their own ideas; just don’t copy mine — that’s all.

Community reaction to ILY handshape drawing in 2024

Cathy: What do you think is the community’s feeling about that picture now, in 2024?

Bob: Yeah, honestly, I don't know. I know there's been some positive responses still. I've seen videos, blogs, some positive response. That's all nice to hear. It's nice to see that it's still out there. It's not in the dark. It's continuing to spread and be out there.

Cathy: Just so you know, I love your work. I mean, I always have, and I still do.

Bob: Thank you.

How Bob Taylor feels about being the creator of the ILY image

Cathy: How does it feel knowing that you were the one who drew a picture that ended up becoming an iconic picture in the deaf community? How does that feel to you?

Bob: Well, you know, it's unique, for one.

Cathy: Well, it is unique because it is iconic.

Bob: Yeah. Right. You know, there was time between, of course, the 70s and now, there was a period of where it was more quiet, and now it's become more prevalent. And, you know, that some people didn't even realize it was still around, but it is.

What else Bob Taylor has done related to deaf audiences

Cathy: Your work is unique and different. So for my next question, is there anything else that you've been illustrating — anything that has to do with the deaf audience that maybe they would be interested in seeing?

Bob: I just finished one piece of work called “The Bull.” Okay,  yeah, it's out there. You can take a look. I'm sure you can find it on, you know, whatever programs are out there, take a look.

You know it's a work. It's about our political system. You know, the Republicans, the Democrats, you know, they're both a little crazy, but, it just really emphasizes that, you know, what we've done in the past. You can predict a future where it's more and more messy and, you know, problems may or may not be resolved.

You know, and remember I am a visionary artist now. It's a culmination of my experience in my life. It's been a lot of fun to do that. I don't know what the response will be to it.

What Bob Taylor is doing now

Cathy: What are you working on now?

Bob: Well, like I mentioned before, I am retired. When I'm in the mood to do what I do, you know, but I spend my time doing other things as well. I'm not solely focused on art. That's just one of many things that I do. I tend to my flowers, my plants.

Cathy: Oh, I love gardening. I love growing food and flowers inside and outside the house. That's so fun.

Bob: Yeah, my wife likes to bring home plants and then I end up taking care of them.

Cathy: Yeah, green thumb.

Bob: I'd like to think so. Some of my plants are 12 years old, some are 17. I've got a bamboo plant I thought would last 5–6 years, but it’s 12 years old now. Yeah, I've got it. I've had it for quite some time. Seems I’m doing okay. It's very tall. Yeah, it's in the kitchen. It's quite tall. It's a lot of fun.

Encouragement to make and show art

Cathy: I'm sure it's beautiful. My last question. Is there anything that you wanted to say?

Bob: Well, you know, I've always emphasized that, you know, in the past, there were a lot of deaf people who started thinking, like, maybe I could sell deaf things. Maybe I could sell deaf art. There were a lot of people in the past who were panhandlers, and they would sell ABC cards.

But I think it's important for anyone who does art to, to sell anything related to sign language to their deaf art, to know that they can sell and do that. And they can expose themselves in that way. So I've encouraged that idea for a long time.

I have several friends who didn't know what to do with themselves, but they did make things. I have a friend who's good at knitting, others who are good at sewing, and they've made things that have to do with deafness or Deaf pride. And, you know, they've been able to sell those items and that's made them realize that, yes, they can do it. And, you know, I've encouraged them to be creative and to sell their creations.

So I've been very positive, encouraging of those who want to do that for themselves.

Cathy: Yeah, art is a great way to be able to express yourself. And then you can also sell it, or you can use it as a way to network with others. It's there's a lot of benefits to being an artist, yes.

Bob: And hopefully people can also connect to their idea, you know, and then they can share their ideas and what they think of it.

Cathy: That's true. Well, thank you so much for your time today and talking about your work. I really appreciate the opportunity to speak with you.

Bob: My pleasure. If you do want to see my work, you can check out my website. And so I would encourage you to go to my website to check out all of the work that I have posted.

Cathy: Okay. Will do.

Bob: There are some things that have not been uploaded yet, but I’ll probably be adding those throughout the year.

Cathy: Well, again, thank you for sharing your time with us.

Bob: Yeah, thank you to Sorenson for giving me the opportunity.

 

To see more of Bob’s art, visit:

Curious about more deaf people in the arts? Did you catch our interview with Deaf Austin Theatre?