Curry and Autism
Monday 1st April - Friday 5th April 2019
Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm, free entry
This project aims to raise the profile of Dads as carers of autistic adults through a collection of images taken whilst sharing their thoughts and experiences. The exhibition, created by Pasda in partnership with photographer Graham Miller, aims to communicate the feelings of male carers who are often in the background. Over a series of evenings sampling a Rogan Josh or Biryani a group of Dads chatted about their caring role for someone on the autistic spectrum, with Graham manoeuvring to take surreptitious shots. When it comes to caring for someone with communication difficulties and sky-high anxiety, family life can become extremely challenging and sometimes surreal. Words are often insufficient to describe the emotional turmoil which often plays out on a daily basis and when re-told to those who have never experienced this environment, can sound like pure fiction. These Dads have shared their highs and lows with each other and Graham, who has elegantly captured the moments of empathy and understanding.
Graham Miller is a Documentary Photographer whose work has focused on Autism, Down’s syndrome, Mental Health and more recently Rare Conditions. His photographs have been seen widely in the press and exhibited globally including the European Parliament and Reykjavik’s largest shopping mall. Some of Graham’s other work can be seen here: www.photohonesty.org He has also recently set up a new Social Enterprise www.reallyrealresources.com a media archive determined to show life for the vulnerable as it really is.
Pasda is a charity supporting families with an autistic adult throughout the Lothians, which began in the 1990s as a small group of parents concerned with improving the lives of autistic adults. It was recognised in those early years that there was little support or known development pathways for the families involved. The original aim of the group was to share information and knowledge. It soon became obvious that one of the biggest problems was the anxiety experienced by the autistic adult and the impact on the whole family. Pasda is the only Scottish organisation specifically for carers of autistic adults.
www.pasda.org.uk
Image:Graham Miller
Tags: Exhibition, Photography