A unique exhibition of powerful images of people in their 50s and older who have Down’s syndrome will be held on Thursday evening 6-9pm 24th March, with further open days on 23rd April, 2nd July and 3rd September, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA).
‘Memories and Stories’ will feature the work of 13 well-known photographers, including Richard Bailey, Aron Hosie and Blair Moore. The exhibition juxtaposes the powerful and moving portraits of people who have Down’s syndrome in their 50s, with edgy and stereotype busting images of younger subjects. Visitors will also be able to listen to the oral histories of the people involved. It is the first and only exhibition of its kind to focus on older people who have Down’s syndrome in their 50s and beyond.
Taking place in the same week as World Down’s Syndrome Day and Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week, it offers fresh, thought-provoking and sometimes surprising portrayals of individuals who have Down’s Syndrome. It is the first exhibition to acknowledge and recognise those who have seen societal attitudes towards them change during that time. It celebrates the fact that these individuals are here today and living their lives as part of the community.
Among those featured in the exhibition are 58-year-old Anya Souza and 37-year-old Alex Boys. Anya is a Trustee of the DSA and she is passionate about fighting for the rights of people who have Down’s syndrome. She was photographed by Laura Pannack who is renowned by her portraiture and social documentary work. Alex’s photos were taken after a long period of serious illness during 2020. The photoshoot is a celebration of his return to health and were taken by Aron Hosie, whose love of the image developed over his childhood years watching old classic Cary Grant and Elvis movies.
The venue for the exhibition is the Langdon Down Centre in Teddington, the former home of the Victorian Physician Dr John Langdon Down, known internationally as the ‘Father of Down’s syndrome.’ It was built as a place where people with learning disabilities could be cared for and educated at a time when most of them would have been condemned to life in an asylum. The exhibition will run throughout the building giving visitors the rare opportunity to see parts of the historic site not open to the public.
Carol Boys, Chief Executive of the Down’s Syndrome Association, said: “We see many wonderful stories in the media about children and younger people who have Down’s syndrome, but there are many older individuals in their 50s and beyond, who are equally worthy of acknowledgment. Fifty years ago, the likelihood of someone who had Down’s syndrome surviving beyond the age of 20 was still extremely low. Today there are approximately 47 thousand people who have Down’s syndrome in the U.K., and this exhibition celebrates the fact that people are now living longer and leading full, and more equal, lives.
“We have come a long way from how life used to be for people who have Down’s syndrome and the Down’s Syndrome Association has played a significant role in helping them flourish and overcome some of the barriers they faced during the last 50 years.”
Formed in 1970, the DSA quickly gained momentum in its early years, leading the campaign for children who had Down’s syndrome when the Education Act came into force allowing people with special educational needs to be supported in mainstream schools. The DSA fought for the provision of advocacy, resources and training for school staff.
Soon afterwards, the DSA launched a highly successful nationwide campaign focused on language, but specifically to eliminate the use of the term ‘mongol’. By 1999, the DSA had published a major report highlighting the discrimination amongst the medical profession against people who had Down’s syndrome. It resulted in an inquiry into the discrimination against people who had Down’s syndrome at the Royal Brompton Hospital, and the DSA worked closely with the hospital to improve services.
The DSA has since gone from strength to strength, driving significant changes so that people who had Down’s syndrome could live more fulfilled lives in their communities. The DSA’s 50th year was actually 2020 but due to Covid-19 it postponed its Memories and Stories exhibition until this year.
Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the opening exhibition of ‘Memories and Stories’ will take place on Thursday 24th March at 6pm until 9pm at the Langdon Centre in Teddington. Further open days for the exhibition will be held on 23rd April, 2nd July and 3rd September.
