‘Breaking the Barriers’ photographic exhibition explores the lives of ten people who are living with disabilities. The exhibition illustrates the challenges which face thousands of disabled people in the country of Lesotho in southern Africa. The deaf, physically disabled, visually impaired and intellectually disabled should enjoy the same human rights as every other Mosotho. Yet all too often they are marginalised from society, and are denied access to public buildings and transport, education, employment and social services.
The exhibition also portrays the determination and dignity of people with disabilities. Many have broken the negative stereotypes given to them by society. They have overcome the numerous challenges against them and are able to successfully work, earn a living and enjoy a family life. Some have gone on to campaign for the rights of the disabled.
The exhibition will be launched by Professor Tom Collins, Vice President for External Affairs, Dean of Teaching and Learning, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, on Wednesday the 10th March at 1.00pm in the Education Hall, Education House, North Campus. Professor Collins sees the exhibition as a significant event for the college ‘Too often the images we have in our minds of Africa are of conflict, of hardship and of hunger; ‘Breaking the Barriers’ exhibition documents the many challenges faced by people with disabilities living in Lesotho. It also portrays the dignity and determination of these people, many of whom have overcome what at first seem like insurmountable obstacles. I would like to congratulate Eileen O’ Leary on bringing their stories of hope and courage to us.’
The exhibition will be followed by a public lecture by the Documentary Photographer Eileen O’Leary. The exhibition will be installed in three locations on the North Campus: Hume Building, Arts Building and the Institute of Immunology.
Eileen O’Leary has been working as a freelance photojournalist documenting social issues since 1985, endeavouring to make social change through the medium of photography and the written world. She has held the position of Executive Field Officer with Twinning the Kingdoms since its inception in 2006. RTE recently made a documentary about her work as part of the Townlands series. Since returning to Ireland in 1992 from California, where she was the first photojournalist to respond to the US invasion of Panama and document the devastation inflicted on the people of Chorillo, she has curated 300 community exhibitions and compiled and edited 12 books. She is currently working on a book called ‘Conversations with Meshu’ which documents the life of Lesotho’s most renowned artist.
The exhibition will tour universities and colleges in Ireland where it is hoped that it will highlight issues, raise awareness, create links between disability groups in Ireland and Lesotho and encourage collective and personal action from the people who view the photographs.
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