Stephen’s Deaf Mosaic portraits gain Royal distinction
Stephen’s Deaf Mosaic portraits have been awarded a distinction by the Royal Society of Photography (RPS).
Founded in 1853, the RPS is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious photographic societies.
A panel of four judges looked at 15 of Stephen’s portraits and considered how they convey the message: 'With the right support deaf people can do anything'.
And the judges were sufficiently impressed to make Stephen an Associate of Royal Society of Photographers (ARPS).
“This award will open more doors for my ongoing work to get images and stories of deaf people into mainstream spaces,” says Stephen.
“There are over 90,000 deaf people in the UK who use British Sign Language (BSL) as their first or preferred language. It is the UK’s fourth indigenous language – after English, Welsh and Scots Gaelic.”
Left: Eloise Garland, musician. Right: Ricardo Browne, fashion model.
“Both the deaf community and the medium of photography share early-Victorian roots. In 1839, just as Louis Daguerre and Henry Fox Talbot were trading competing claims to have invented of photography, the UK deaf community was emerging too.”
“And, yet in the 185 years since, the deaf community remains almost invisible in the art photography canon – exhibitions, magazines, books. My 10-year Deaf Mosaic project to photograph my community is challenging this exclusion.”
Deaf Mosaic features over 100 intimate portraits and stories of deaf people from all walks of life - from NHS nurse to TV chef, from postman to fashion model.
Left: Max Lawrence, motorbike club leader. Right: Asha Hylton, NHS nurse.
“As a photographer who is deaf,” says Stephen, “I can gain the trust and confidence of other deaf people from diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. This is crucial for creating emotionally authentic portraits.”
Deaf Mosaic currently exhibits in galleries, hospitals, community centres. It offers positive role models to deaf people and their families, while also raising wider public awareness.
The 15 images and exhibition layout submitted to the judges:
