Description
OD Photo Prize 2024 | AJ Page Award
Selected by our International Jury from over 1200 submissions
Emily June Smith (b.2001), based in Romford, is a neurodivergent visual artist whose work diverges from traditional documentary photography to delve into personal and social contexts. As someone with dyslexia, Smith’s artistic practice serves as a medium through which she communicates her unique perspective on life.
Having personally experienced the challenges of living with a neurological disablity, Smith is deeply passionate about amplifying the voices of misunderstood and underrepresented communities, shedding light on topics that often go under-explored.
Image Description | This image highlights the challenges posed by seemingly simple daily tasks, like washing, and how they can swiftly spiral into overwhelming and seemingly impossible to complete obstacles for individuals with ADHD and autism.
Artist Statement | “At primary school, a teacher told me I would end up in prison. I struggled more at home. Diagnosed since childhood with ADHD and Autism, my shouting and hitting were moments no-one looked forward to. Stigmatised by the community, and isolated without adequate training, my family and I had to learn to cope. For me, I morphed myself to fit in, by hiding behind imaginary masks.
A Dissonant Past Unmasked is a photographic project positioning my family and myself inside re-enactments of our lives. Private sufferings from the past are performed against the backdrop of suburban domesticity. Traversing bygone ruptures, my autobiographical approach is an attempt to acknowledge my history. By confronting my difficult past, I am looking for catharsis and closure within quiet scenes of dissonance.
The complexities of disability are circumvented by society, as they seemingly misalign with standardised social norms. This has left us with no voice nor visibility, whilst our stories are often told by someone else. I shine a light on my challenges, in the hope of encouraging others to take back control of their lives. In doing so, I seek to alter the way disability has been side-stepped by bringing visibility where there had been none.“ — Emily June Smith
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