We are delighted to welcome you to THE UNEXPLORED – a photography exhibition by brothers Rhodri & Lewys Watkins, illustrating their challenges of living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic muscle wasting condition which is life limiting and boys with this condition lose their mobility around the ages of 9-11, and are dependent on a powered wheelchair. Their respiratory and cardiac systems also deteriorate, resulting in end of life care.
Rhodri and Lewys studied a photography course, even though they have minimal movement of their hands and fingers, but have been able to explore this creative medium thanks to technology. Their series THE UNEXPLORED showcases photos of buildings, walks, and spaces that they have been unable to explore due to their condition.
My intent for this project is to photograph places and objects that are inaccessible to me in my wheelchair. I am going to put these images into negative to highlight the adverse impact these obstacles have to me.
After deciding on the theme for my project, I researched images and projects that highlight making the public aware of disability, and accessibility. I find that even now in 2022, this is an issue that most people overlook. I also examined the Disability Act (2010), which highlights the legal side of accessibility. It’s clear that there are many locations that are in breach of this act.
I [have undertaken] a number of photoshoots in different locations in Merthyr Tydfil, under the theme of “The Unexplored”.
My definition of this theme is everyday situations and locations that I am unable to access. In order to achieve this, I [have shot] in a documentary style, and capture instances of disability access being compromised.
I am looking to communicate my frustration with everyday life as someone with mobility issues, and raise awareness through these images. – Lewys
I found the theme of The Unexplored difficult at first due to my disability as the obvious ideas would be somewhere remote or abandoned. After giving it some thought, I realised there are a lot of everyday places I cannot explore, hence why they are unexplored to me. I started thinking of the most obvious obstacles such as stairs, escalator. I developed this idea further as I went along. I discovered more obscure obstacles I had not thought about, these include, phone boxes and revolving doors.
My photographs are a reality through my eyes as a wheelchair user. I have taken images that highlight the barriers of designs that prevent me being able to explore the everyday that most people take for granted. I have channelled my frustration through the medium of photography. My work highlights the stark reality of my everyday life as the images are dull and uninviting which depicts a non-inclusive world.
The experience I have with accessibility everyday led me to the idea for my photo shoot. The everyday situations that some people would not even consider. My experience of undertaking tasks that others would perceive as straightforward, would indeed be impossible for a wheelchair user like myself to assess. I find it very frustrating that in 2022 there are still so many barriers for myself and others with disabilities. – Rhodri
The exhibition will run until 6th March 2023.
For more information about the Arts for Health and Wellbeing Programme and our exhibition spaces, please visit www.cardiffandvale.art and our social media pages @thehearthgallery
If you require further information or to purchase any of the artworks on show, or would like to be included in future exhibitions please contact: ArtsinHealth.cav@wales.nhs.uk
THE UNEXPLORED – Arddangosfa gan Rhodri a Lewys Watkins
Mae’n bleser gennym eich croesawu i THE UNEXPLORED – arddangosfa ffotograffiaeth gan y brodyr Rhodri a Lewys Watkins, sy’n dangos yr heriau maent yn eu hwynebu wrth fyw gyda Nychdod Cyhyrol Duchenne.
Mae Nychdod Cyhyrol Duchenne (DMD) yn gyflwr genetig sy’n arwain at ddirywiad yn y cyhyrau sy’n cyfyngu ar fywyd, ac mae bechgyn sydd â’r cyflwr hwn yn colli eu symudedd tua 9-11 oed, ac yn dibynnu ar gadair olwyn wedi’i phweru. Mae eu systemau anadlol a chardiaidd hefyd yn dirywio, gan arwain at ofal diwedd oes.
Astudiodd Rhodri a Lewys gwrs ffotograffiaeth, ac er mai ychydig iawn o symudiad yn eu dwylo a’u bysedd sydd ganddynt, maen nhw wedi gallu archwilio’r cyfrwng creadigol hwn diolch i dechnoleg. Mae’r gyfres THE UNEXPLORED yn arddangos lluniau o adeiladau, teithiau cerdded, a gofodau nad ydynt wedi gallu eu harchwilio oherwydd eu cyflwr.
Fy mwriad ar gyfer y prosiect hwn yw tynnu lluniau o fannau a gwrthrychau sy’n anhygyrch i mi yn fy nghadair olwyn. Rwy’n mynd i roi’r delweddau hyn yn y ffurf negatif i dynnu sylw at yr effaith andwyol y mae’r rhwystrau hyn yn ei chael arnaf.
Ar ôl penderfynu ar y thema ar gyfer fy mhrosiect, fe wnes i ymchwilio i ddelweddau a phrosiectau sy’n tynnu sylw at wneud y cyhoedd yn ymwybodol o anabledd a hygyrchedd. Rwy’n gweld, hyd yn oed nawr yn 2022, fod hwn yn fater y mae’r rhan fwyaf o bobl yn ei anwybyddu. Archwiliais hefyd i Anabledd o dan y Ddeddf Cydraddoldeb (2010), sy’n tynnu sylw at ochr gyfreithiol hygyrchedd. Mae’n amlwg bod yna lawer o leoliadau sy’n torri’r ddeddf hon.
Rwy’n mynd i gynnal nifer o sesiynau tynnu lluniau mewn gwahanol leoliadau ym Merthyr Tudful, o dan y thema The Unexplored.
Fy niffiniad o’r thema hon yw lleoliadau a sefyllfaoedd bob dydd na allaf gael mynediad atynt. Er mwyn cyflawni hyn, byddaf yn tynnu lluniau mewn arddull ddogfennol, ac yn cofnodi achosion o gyfyngiadau o ran mynediad i bobl anabl.
Fy mwriad yw cyfleu fy rhwystredigaeth gyda bywyd bob dydd fel rhywun â phroblemau symudedd, a chodi ymwybyddiaeth trwy’r delweddau hyn. – Lewys
Roedd thema The Unexplored yn anodd i mi ar y dechrau yn sgil fy anabledd gan y byddai’r syniadau amlwg yn lleoedd anghysbell neu wedi’u gadael. Ar ôl meddwl amdano, sylweddolais fod yna lawer o leoedd bob dydd na allaf eu harchwilio, a dyna pam eu bod yn “unexplored” i mi. Dechreuais feddwl am y rhwystrau mwyaf amlwg fel grisiau, grisiau symudol. Datblygais y syniad hwn ymhellach wrth fynd ymlaen. Darganfyddais rwystrau mwy di-nod nad oeddwn wedi meddwl amdanynt, gan gynnwys blychau ffôn a drysau troi.
Realiti trwy fy llygaid i fel defnyddiwr cadair olwyn yw fy ffotograffau. Rwyf wedi tynnu lluniau sy’n amlygu rhwystrau o ran dyluniadau sy’n fy atal rhag gallu archwilio’r pethau bob dydd y mae’r rhan fwyaf o bobl yn eu cymryd yn ganiataol. Rwyf wedi sianelu fy rhwystredigaeth trwy gyfrwng ffotograffiaeth. Mae fy ngwaith yn amlygu realiti llwm fy mywyd bob dydd gan fod y delweddau’n ddiflas ac yn anneniadol sy’n darlunio byd nad yw’n gynhwysol.
Arweiniodd y profiad rwy’n ei gael gyda hygyrchedd bob dydd at y syniad ar gyfer fy sesiwn tynnu lluniau. Y sefyllfaoedd bob dydd na fyddai rhai pobl hyd yn oed yn eu hystyried. Mae fy mhrofiad o wneud rhai tasgau y byddai eraill yn eu hystyried yn syml, yn wirioneddol amhosibl i ddefnyddiwr cadair olwyn fel fi. Rwy’n rhwystredig iawn bod cymaint o rwystrau yn dal i fodoli yn 2022 i fi fy hun ac i eraill ag anableddau. – Rhodri
Bydd yr arddangosfa i’w gweld tan 6 Mawrth 2023.
Os hoffech ragor o wybodaeth am Raglen y Celfyddydau ar gyfer Iechyd a Lles a’n hardaloedd arddangos, ewch i www.cardiffandvale.art a’n tudalennau cyfryngau cymdeithasol @thehearthgallery
I gael rhagor o wybodaeth neu i brynu unrhyw un o’r darnau celf, neu os hoffech chi gael eich cynnwys yn arddangosiadau’r dyfodol, cysylltwch â: ArtsinHealth.cav@wales.nhs.uk