Photography Exhibit of Australians with Disabilities Explores Sexuality, Disability and Body Image
By George Taleporous (gtdeakin@bigpond.net.au)
January 2002 - 'Intimate ENCOUNTERS' is a landmark photographic essay that explores the myriad of connections between disability and sexuality. It challenges the hidden (and often-at times not so hidden) myth in our society that only the most glamorous, attractive and successful among us lead active, healthy and imaginative sexual lives. It is a myth intonated through images present at every edge of our consciousness. Screened, flashed, flickered and fleshed out through film, print, press, art and Internet - eventually projected from person to person, generation to generation.
But then there is the truth. We all have our own, unique sexual journey, mapped out with secret adventure, whispered aspirations, the pain of risk and overriding urge for intimacy. It is a journey that, if fully embraced, determines and moulds our identity and self worth. Ultimately, it's how we feel about our inner selves that lets us free each other to lead larger lives.
'Intimate ENCOUNTERS' creates new visual messages about sexuality and disability. These messages have a basis in the lived realities of individuals with disability. People with physical, intellectual, learning, psychiatric and neurological disabilities have shared some of their most intimate thoughts and feelings by being photographed.
'Intimate ENCOUNTERS' extends the journey from the subconscious into the community, from the personal to the political, challenging the hidden norms about what is "sexy" and who among us is allowed to feel that way. Some of the people photographed are well known for their various achievements. There are Paralympians, people who excel in their chosen sport. There are professionals in the arts, community services and academia. All the people concerned are, by participating in this project, activists and allies in a global struggle for a basic human right, the right to be a sexual person.
Photographer Belinda Mason-Lovering has travelled around Australia over the last two years collecting images that examine the relationship between sexuality and people with disabilities. Mason-Lovering has created images that reflect the personal emotional journey of people with disabilities by choosing to photograph the intangible: emotion.
The exhibition opened in Sydney in 2001 and has since traveled to Hobart and Melbourne and will be in Adelaide for the 2002 High Beam Festival. Sponsorship is needed to keep this show on the road, across Australia and around the world. Deakin University was proud to sponsor the Melbourne show and expressions of interest are now being sought from organisations to assist hosting 'Intimate ENCOUNTERS' in other cities both in Australia (Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra) and overseas. If you are able to assist, please email me at gtdeakin@bigpond.net.au. Also, please check-out the website www.intimate-encounters.com.au
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