Deaf photographer Stephen Iliffe has launched Deaf Mosaic, an inspiring exhibition celebrating the achievements of deaf individuals across diverse fields.
Installed in hospital corridors and waiting rooms in Nottingham, Deaf Mosaic features 42 portraits, spotlighting deaf role models, including fashion models, athletes, TV chefs, and scientists.
Iliffe, who grew up in Leicester, hopes the exhibition will provide what he lacked growing up: positive deaf role models.
“When I was growing up, it often felt as if I was the only deaf person in the world,” he shared. While grateful for audiology support, he noted the barriers faced beyond those appointments.
Now, he wants deaf children and adults to feel empowered by role models like architect Martin Glover and athlete Jodie Ounsley.
Author, actor, and comedian Samantha Baines, one of the 42 featured individuals, expressed how Deaf Mosaic would have positively impacted her own journey.
After her hearing loss diagnosis, she felt isolated and feared for her career. “Walking out of that first hearing test, it would have been a massive boost to see something like Deaf Mosaic in the waiting rooms,” she reflected.
Jason Smalley, head of audiology at Nottingham’s Ropewalk House, praised the exhibition: “The engaging images are fantastic for patients, and we are hoping they will help them to understand that deaf people can do anything.”
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