Photography exhibition highlights the impact of words

Photographer Debbie Todd pictured her new exhibition, The Meaning of Being Different, at Bishop Auckland Town Hall

A new exhibition celebrating people who are often misunderstood and excluded because of prejudices about the way they look, or how they interact with the world around them, will open in County Durham next week.

From a young woman with bionic hands to a man with facial differences to a little boy with Down Syndrome – The Meaning of Being Different is a series of portraits based around well-known proverbs and idioms.

Created by portrait photographer Debbie Todd, the exhibition opens at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on Monday 16 February and will remain on display at the Durham County Council venue until Saturday 16 May.

Debbie said: “I’ve tried to represent a diverse range of people in the exhibition – people who are often excluded because of how they look or their lifestyle.

“By linking each portrait to a phrase or idiom such as ‘tarred by the same brush’ or ‘a face only a mother could love,’ the sitters and I hope to raise awareness of the impact words can have and promote a kinder and more inclusive society.”

Tilly Lockey, from Consett, is among those featured in the exhibition. After contracting meningitis as a toddler, Tilly lost both of her hands. Her family spent years raising money for Tilly to have bionic arms, which have allowed her to do almost everything people with hands can do. Tilly has gone on to become a singer and social media personality, inspiring her hundreds of thousands of followers with her fashion, lifestyle and music content.

Also featured is Jono Lancaster, who was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, a genetic condition which meant the bones and tissue in his face grew at a different rate. Jono’s parents rejected him at birth and also refused to meet him two decades later. Now an advocate for self-love, he was brought up by his adoptive mum who he says made him the person he is today.

One of the exhibition’s youngest subjects is William Hughes, who has Down Syndrome.

Similar to other members of the Down Syndrome community, William has experienced a lot of stigma, as many people think the condition defines him, when he is an individual who is cherished by his friends and family.

Based in County Durham, Debbie is a socially engaged photographer who concentrates on telling stories of marginalised people mainly from working class backgrounds in a fine art style. She is inspired by old master painters and contemporary photographers and creates images that tell the sitter’s story and encourage empathy.

The Meaning of Being Different is the first exhibition to be staged in Bishop Auckland Town Hall’s mixed-use space, which also houses the venue’s library.

The exhibition is free and will be available to view from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday.

To find out more, visit www.bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk.