Aphotographicexhibitionthatrevealsthechallenges,obstaclesandsocietal assumptionspeoplewithDwarfismfaceonadailybasis.
For more information about the exhibition, to listen to the podcast and learn more about the lived experience of Dwarfism, visit www.hellolittlelady.com.
Contact: Steph Robson
Email: steph@hellolittlelady.com
Sharing and quoting document:
- Attribute and link back to this document and quote the author, Steph Robson - Hello, Little Lady.
- I would love to know if you use this research to help support your worklet me know on the email above.
Background
● OctoberisDwarfismAwarenessMonth.
● Thereare over 200 forms of Dwarfism,Achondroplasiaisthemost common.
● Steph’sDwarfismiscalledRussellSilverSyndrome,
● 80% of people with Dwarfism arebornintoaverage-heightfamilies.
● Academicresearchshowsthat:
○ 12% of people with dwarfism have experienced violence,
○ 80% experiencing verbal abuse,
○ with two-thirds feeling unsafe while out and about.
Scandinavian Journal Of Disability - No laughing matter: medical and social experiences of restricted growth
Authors: Tom Shakespeare , Sue Thompson, Michael Wright https://www.sjdr.se/articles/10.1080/15017410902909118/
Tochallenge artspace
Frustrationfromown experienceswith Dwarfism
How the exhibition came about
Lackof understandingof Dwarfismacross society.
Encouragementfrom SpectrumCulturalHub.
MetatArtWorks-U
networking&support group
● Toraiseawareness,visually,ofthedifficulties movingaroundtheenvironmentDwarfism presents.
Aims of the Exhibition
● Challengetheuseoftheartspace.
● Togiveavoicetoamisunderstood andmisrepresenteddisabilityinthearts, cultureandmedia.
The Exhibition Journey
● StephtookphotosonheriPhoneoveratwoyearperiod capturing what life is like from her eye-level.
● Research - asked the Dwarf community about their experiencesandthoughtsonDwarfism,ArtSpacesand Representation over the summer of 2018.
● Community Participation - posted on HelloLittleLady social media platforms for participants to photograph and submitphotosattheireye-level.
Dwarfism, Art Spaces and Representation The Results
Over30participantsfromtheUK,USA,CanadaandAustralia,witharangeofDwarfismconditions.
Questionnaireareas:
1. VisitingArtSpaces
2. Representationof
DwarfismintheArts
3. AboutYou
Dwarfism, Art Spaces and Representation The Results
VisitingArtSpaces
“Allow viewing when closed to the general public.”
“If we didn't receive as much attention from other members of the public. Feel uncomfortable being stared at and laughed at by others. Staff don't do anything.”
Framed works could be mounted in such a way to be raised or lowered, aiding in an accessible viewing height not only for LPs but the very tall, as well.
Moderate the hanging so people of all heights and ability can view. Offer hangings especially for those in wheelchairs and those with dwarfism. Train staff not to stare, to circumvent bullying of dwarfs in the public space, and not to assume dwarfs are younger than they are, or to loudly question my age or height.
Dwarfism, Art Spaces and Representation The Results
RepresentationofDwarfisminthe Arts
“I have never seen artwork with little people in it unless it is as a jester or such.”
“Understandably dwarfism is rare, you don't tend to see it represented positively in art form.”
“I simply have never seen an art exhibit tailored for people with dwarfism.”
“Very few positive depictions, if any. Start with doctors, lawyers, historical and lastly media.”
“Most dwarfs represented in art are made to look like fairytale creatures and such. Like Leprechauns or elves etc. There are no normal looking dwarfs in art”
“We’re still the object in art. We’re never the creator. Where are the exhibits BY little people?”
“Lack of people in the arts with Dwarfism. Getting better, but still often exploitative rather than empowering.”
Dwarfism, Art Spaces and Representation The Results
Respondentsideasforbetterrepresentation
“For dwarfism to be part of disability arts.”
“Arts communities need to be open to dialogue with the dwarfism community in order to ensure proper and positive representation.”
“People with dwarfism to be encouraged to participate in art. Art projects to include those with dwarfism.”
“The balance that small people can be represented in positive roles. Not just scary or humorous ones.”
“Normalizing people with dwarfism, whether that be simply through exposure, casting performers in roles not dependent upon their stature or including works of visual art which represent us similarly, that is to say: not with the intent of highlighting our rare condition.”
“We need to be shown as just as capable of creating quality art as we are of being quality art.”
“People need to accept us in society as real people and not comical characters.”
Dwarfism, Art Spaces and Representation The Findings
● Visiting Art Spaces: Theneedforawarenessofphysical,socialanxietyandpersonalsafety issuespeoplewithDwarfismhavewhenaccessingartspacesandtocaterforthise.g. Safe openingtimeslikeautismhour.
● Stafftrainingfortheissuesthatpeoplewithdwarfismface.Recognisethatitisnotonlythe physicalenvironmentthat’sdisabling.Traininginhowtorecogniseandhandleanynegative attentionapersonwithdwarfismreceives.
● Representation: Theneedforgreaterreflectionofthedwarfbodyinartthatispositive,in everydaysettings,ratherthanasanobjectofhumourorthegrotesque.Theneedforourrolesas parents,friends,colleagues,etc.
● The need for arts and culture projects FOR and BY people with dwarfism to show our everyday lives.
Steph wanted to challenge the traditional height works of art are currently hung throughout museumsandartspacesintheUK.
The Exhibition
While the current norm is 145cm (57”),the‘You’reJustLittle’exhibition works are hung at 45” (114cm) that validates the Dwarf perspective withtheirsurroundings.
The Accessible Art Work
The Exhibition
...enables the visitor to move the piece of artwork that is comfortable at their eye-line regardless of height.
ThankstoStewartRobson.
Participant photos
A call out for participants was made online through HelloLittleLady’s social mediaplatforms.
The Exhibition
10 people responded and sent over 40 photos of life at their eye-level to highlight what moving around their environmentislikewithdwarfism. Contributor photos were then hung at 119cm.
“IwouldurgeanyonetovisitStephanie
Robson’s“You’reJustLittle”Exhibitionatthe SpectrumCulturalHub.Theexhibitgaveme aninsightintothechallengesandobstacles thatpeoplewithDwarfismfaceonadaily basis,andIbelieveitgivesavoicetoan under-represented,andsadlymisunderstood, community.”
Praise for Exhibition
Rt. Hon. Julie Elliott - M.P
Photograph includes Kathryn Barnett, Studio Director
(left), Spectrum Cultural Hub, R.t Hon. Julie Elliott M.P
(behind right) and, Steph Robson, exhibition artist (front,right).
● That accessing art spaces isn’t only about adjusting the physical space. Spaces need to be and feel ‘safe’.
Moving Forward
Establish a creative arts organisation to provide the skills and opportunities for people with dwarfism to tell their own stories.
● Trainstaffinphysical,socialanxietyandpersonal safety issues people with dwarfism experience.
● Desperate need for positive representation of dwarfism in the arts, culture and media.
● Provide funding and creative opportunities for people with dwarfism to create and have ownership of their own narratives and tell their ownstories.
Steph is a bloggerand creative activistwho is using her experience as a person with Dwarfismtochallengesocietyandthespaces around her to promote Dwarf voices.
About Steph
Over the span of her career, she has worked as a freelancer in the digital field and also for various other organisations, including the BBC. StephhasarareformofprimordialDwarfism calledRussellSilverSyndromeandstandsat 133cm(4ft4”).
Spectrum Cultural Hub
KathrynBarnett
AndyBarnett
PhilBarker
Acknowledgement & Thanks
Sunderland University & Arty Parti
CarolineMitchell
JaySykes
Accessible Artwork
StewartRobson
Contributors
AmandaAuchter
ClaireBailey
CarolCarr
SammyDavis
DonnaFrancis
PatNewman
ErinPritchard
KimTaylor
PippaWauthier
TrishaWynn
