History

In 2003, photographer Fiona Yaron-Field got together a group of local photographers who all had children with Down's syndrome and together they created a small exhibition for Down's Syndrome Awareness Week. One of the visitors was Susan Andrews, a senior lecturer from the London Metropolitan University who asked if we would like to participate in 'Photomonth', held in the East End every year. It is through the invitation to participate in Photomonth that Shifting Perspectives was developed.

In 2005 the Shifting Perspectives collective in conjunction with the Down's Syndrome Association exhibited at the.gallery@OXO, Oxo Tower, London for the first time. The exhibition was a huge success and truly launched Shifting Perspectives into its current status.

2005 Shifting Perspectives

With great excitement the 2005 Shifting Perspective Exhibition moved to Central London. The exhibition featured the work of six photographers - Richard Bailey, Kayte Brimacombe, Richard Davis, Maria de Fatima Campos, Fiona Yaron-Field and Aviv Yaron.

2006 Shifting Perspectives

The 2006 Shifting Perspectives Exhibition focused on the journey from birth to adulthood and showed the myriad of life in between for people with Down's syndrome. The five photographers that featured work were Richard Bailey, Kayte Brimacombe, Maria de Fatima Campos, Fiona Yaron-Field and Raffaello Raimondi. Both Kayte and Fiona used multi media within their work that provided a very powerful interaction with the viewers.

2007 Shifting Perspectives

Each year the exhibition goes from strength to strength. This exhibition was designed to support the DSA's main campaign about employment. Through the continuing work of the collective, adults with Down's syndrome showed they have dreams and aspirations just like each and every one of us. The campaign was launched at the beginning of 2007 and will continue until people with Down's syndrome have the chances to enter the workforce they deserve. The exhibition featured the work of Richard Bailey, Fiona Yaron-Field, Raffaello Raimondi and Rodridgo Raimondi who has Down's syndrome.

2008 Shifting Perspectives

This exhibition focused on culture, beliefs and desires and challenges some of the many myths about Down's syndrome - "Does Down's syndrome exist in every race?" is still a common question. The photos clearly show that cultural backgrounds, family values, aspirations and environmental influences all help to shape the individuality of a person with Down's syndrome, in the same way that it would be for anyone else. Following in previous years, this exhibition continues to grow with a massive thank you to this year’s photographers: Richard Bailey, Javier Delgado-Esteban, Fiona Yaron-Field, Raffaello Raimondi and the DSA’s very own Vinay Kapoor, fundraising assistant.

2009 Shifting Perspectives

The images on show this year demonstrate the every day interactions of people with Down's syndrome with their friends and family. We were delighted to welcome back Richard Bailey and Fiona Yaron-Field and also introduce Emer Gillespie, Lester Magoogan and Christopher Diedo into the Shifting Perspectives collective. Both Lester and Christopher have Down's syndrome.

2010 Shifting Perspectives

2010 was a collection of photographs addressed the myth that people with Down's syndrome are perpetual children through images demonstrating adulthood and human rights.

2011 Shifting Perspectives

2011's images went back to basics with the images of pregnant women who have received a diagnosis that their unborn baby has Down's syndrome and the physical characteristics that are common to those that have the condition.