'Shifting Perspectives' is the title for a loosely formed group of photographers, all of whom have children (or a relative/sibling) with Down's syndrome. With support from the Down's syndrome association their work has evolved and grown to form a substantial piece of work.
I have introduced new people to the group and as the years go by it looks certain that more photographers will be involved. Some of the imagery deals with the photographers own emotions and feelings at the birth of their children, some look outside to see how others 'deal' with Down's syndrome, whilst others are documentation of their lives or ask people with Down's syndrome how they see themselves.
All the imagery though, is making a point and asking questions not only of the photographer but more importantly of the viewer.
For instance, Fiona Field's images of a young lady with Down's syndrome who is getting married, apart from being quite beautiful, are showing the public that people with Down's syndrome can fall in love and can get married.
The work mainly takes the form of still imagery, but also includes film and audio. Below are pages from a booklet called 'Shifting Perspectives', which was organised by Susan Andrews at the London Metropolitan University. It is a small and beautifully designed record of the first 'Shifting Perspectives' group exhibition.
It includes an introduction from the art historian Amanda Hopkinson and a very brief history of Down's syndrome from Susannah Seyman of the DSA.
The DSA will have copies of this brochure to purchase for a nominal fee.