Individual, active characters were clearly captured in an upbeat exhibition in the centre of their home city. Saba Salman reports
Josephine Euter: “I’m Josephine, aka JoJo, and I am 14. I am great at inventing games and role playing. I am very creative and love Barbie and colouring”. Photo: Joe Horner
People with a learning disability are an active, visible and vital part of their communities – and their individuality and personalities must be celebrated.
These messages were at the heart of a joyful exhibition of images held by charity Sheffield Mencap and Gateway. The photographs were taken by award-wining photographer Joe Horner.
Horner, a British Portrait Award and Portrait of Humanity winner, collaboratively planned the shoots to reflect the individuality of each subject in the This is Me exhibition.
Horner included locations, props – and often other people – according to what his subjects felt best created a visual snapshot of their lives.
Jonathan Raimondi, senior manager at Sheffield Mencap and Gateway, said: “Each portrait captures the personality and individuality of each person and encourages the viewer to see the person beyond the disability.”
Sheffield Mencap and Gateway is an independent charity supporting more than 700 children and adults with learning disabilities or autism and their families and carers.
Established in 1951 by parents of children with learning disabilities, it works with Royal Mencap but receives no funding from it.
The free exhibition was held in Orchard Square shopping centre during Learning Disability Week in June.
Bethan Morgan: “I’m 35. I love DJ-ing and I DJ at The Leadmill at the Under the Stars nightclub for people with learning disabilities. Spending time with my family is very important to me. I enjoy drama and performing on stage and I have performed at The Crucible theatre” Photo: Joe Horner
Max Havenhand: “I am 15. I love watching movies, especially Marvel movies. I watch them with my family. But I HATE Encanto – worst film ever!” Photo: Joe Horner
Meena Hussain-Choudhury: “Hi, I am Thahmeena, aka Meena. I am 23 years old. I enjoy sports, especially football. I also like baking, bowling and socialising with family” Photo: Joe Horner
Nick Timms: “I am 38 and I live in Sheffield. I like music, drama and going out with my walking group” Photo: Joe Horner
Rory Sinha: “Hi, I am 16 years old and I have Down’s syndrome. I love playing lots of sports, especially football, trampolining, swimming, bowling and of course basketball. I have a learning disability that means I have to face challenges everyday but this boy CAN!” Photo: Joe Horner
Twins Eloise (pink jacket) and Emily (blue jacket) in their “magical woods”: “We are 7-year-old twins from Sheffield. We love being active and have lots of hobbies including swimming, trampolining and ballet. We are also big Disney fans especially the princesses! We love to dress up as our favourites, Rapunzel (Eloise) and Cinderella (Emily). We have visited Disneyland Paris and it was amazing!” Photo: Joe Horner
