Interim Crit

Following the introduction of the FMP and the proposal for the project I intended to explore disability in a multitude of ways, both theoretically and photographically. The project initially intended to explore the position of the disabled person in society. The concept was influenced by the ongoing trials and discrimination disabled people have faced, which is shown in the media. As a disabled person myself, I encounter discrimination on a daily basis and wanted to challenge the way in which people perceive disability.

The interim crit is a formative assessment, meaning that the assessment is not formally marked, and is given verbally. This means that the help and advice given will help guide us to our final outcome.

From my research and my photographic practice carried out throughout this project, the project began to fall into four parts; the discrimination landscapes, the people, their voice and the evidence. Initially, this combination would explore the position of the disabled person and how others treat them. This would be shown with a landscape where they face the most discrimination and a selection of images taken by the participants to show what their lives are like and the unseen challenges. Unfortunately, at this stage I struggled to find people willing to participate.

Following the feedback and evaluation from this assessment, it was highlighted that what I was trying to portray was the hidden illness and disability. This was because the majority of people speaking out about their disability had been unfairly judged because the disability was hidden. What also emerged was that I intended to say was that I wanted to give a voice to these people, to counteract the discrimination. From this, it was decided to show the people who are on the receiving end of this injustice; removing all contexts and portraying them as ‘normal’. A diary portraying the truth, from the participants, would then juxtapose this.

During this stage, I am still excited. I am passionate about changing the public view of the disabled and really feel this work will achieve this.