‘Deaf people can do anything’ - new photography exhibition
‘Deaf people can do anything’ - new photography exhibition in Nottingham hospitals corridors and waiting rooms
Staff, patients and visitors at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) can now view a new photography exhibition by East Midlands photographer Stephen Iliffe.
The exhibition, called Deaf Mosaic, highlights the achievements of deaf people from a wide range of backgrounds including fashion models, athletes, TV chefs and scientists.
Deaf Mosaic features 42 portraits of deaf people, with the key message being that with the right support, deaf people can do anything.
The exhibition was installed earlier this month across all three NUH sites, City Hospital, the Queens Medical Centre and Ropewalk House, and is part of the 30th anniversary celebrations of audiology services at Ropewalk House.
Stephen, who is deaf himself, said: “When I was growing up, it often felt as if I was the only deaf person in the world. The audiology staff were great but after my appointment I’d go straight back into the outside world with all its prejudices and barriers. I didn’t have any deaf adult role models for what I might aspire to when I grew up.
“I want today’s generation of deaf children and adults to have earlier access to positive role models, such as the architect Martin Glover or sportswoman Jodie Ounsley, and to feel that they too have the right to their own dreams and to be supported to achieve them.”
One of the Deaf Mosaic portraits is the TV actress and best-selling author Samantha Baines.
Samantha said: “At the age of 29, it was a total shock when the audiologist told me I had a hearing loss. I worried that both my career and my life as I knew it was over. I had never met anyone in my age group who was deaf and I felt very alone.
“Walking out of that first hearing test, it would have been a massive boost to see something like Deaf Mosaic in the waiting rooms. I’d have seen all these vibrant, multi-faceted deaf people, breaking down barriers and achieving amazing things. It would have meant so much to see role models like Nadia Nadarajah, a successful actress, or Dame Evelyn Glennie now a world-famous musician and to see those role models straight away, rather than seek them out myself years later."
Stephen added: “Deaf Mosaic has exhibited before in art galleries, but it’s fantastic that NUH saw how this would add value to their patients’ experiences. They want people not only to get a service here, but to come away feeling uplifted too.
“The right support at the right time can make such a difference to the lives of deaf people and their families.”
Jason Smalley, Head of Audiology at Ropewalk House, said: “Stephen’s photographs are truly inspirational, and we are very happy to have them displayed in our waiting room and across all NUH sites.
“The engaging images are fantastic for patients, and we are hoping will help them to understand that deaf people can do anything.”
