Bio

Stephen Iliffe is a deaf photographer. His intimate portraits and stories celebrate Britain’s deaf community.

Stephen’s Deaf Mosaic challenges the general public to understand it is not deafness that disables people, but the barriers in hearing society that often frustrates our dreams.

From NHS nurse to professional rugby player to sign language rapper, Deaf Mosaic has an urgent message: with the right support, deaf people can do anything.

Deaf Mosaic has hosted 16 exhibitions at high-profile arts venues – such as London South Bank’s OXO Gallery – alongside pop-up events in schools and community centres.

In 2023, Deaf Mosaic exhibited for four weeks at Europe’s largest outdoor gallery at London’s Kings Cross, seen by over a million people.

His portrait of Lawand Hamadamin was shown at the world-famous National Portrait Gallery.

Stephen’s work has a global appeal. The Deaf Mosaic online gallery has enjoyed over 36,000 visitors from 142 countries.

He also collaborates with the deaf communities in Barbados and Uzbekistan.

Stephen is dynamic public speaker. He has appeared on BBC News and Sky News, and given 32 deaf awareness talks to influential bodies – such as the House of Commons and Francis Crick Institute.