‘Still I Rise II’ is a powerful and thought provoking collection of stories and portraits by the award winning photographer, Allie Crewe, offering a unique glimpse into the lives of disabled individuals working in the city’s public and voluntary sectors.
For the first time, the new collection of eleven portraits is open to the public at the Swinton Gateway exhibition space and is part of the events programme to highlight and celebrate Disability History Month.
The collection of portrait photographs builds on the success of ‘Still I Rise’, which captured members of the global majority groups who work across Salford’s Statutory and voluntary sector.
The ‘Still I Rise II’ exhibition has been produced in partnership with Salford City Council, Salford CVS, and photographer Allie Crewe and thoughtfully captures disabled staff and highlights their stories.
Among the portraits is Councillor Hilaria Asumu, Local Councillor for Walkden South, Salford City Council. She is a national ambassador for NHS Blood and Transplant, a founding member of the Renal Patient-Led Advisory Network following a lifesaving kidney transplant, and the founder of the WSH BME Kidney Network.
Councillor Asumu expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “Allie’s photos are amazing, and I’m honoured to be part of this exhibition with my own photo on display. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate Disability History Month and highlight positive role models who are making a real difference in our city. I hope the exhibition inspires people and challenges their view of disabled people, I encourages everyone to come and see the portraits and stories firsthand.”
Paralympian gold medallist and chair of Access to All Areas, Elaine Barrett, along with her Blind Dog Zea, shared some of the challenges, discrimination and harassment that she has faced because she is blind. She believes “If you fail – get up and have another go – you have to keep moving forward, confidence is so hard to build and so easy to lose.”
“It is so important for all Salfordians to be seen, to be visible, and to be celebrated in all their diversity, and Disability History a month is the perfect opportunity to spotlight on our community of disabled persons across the spectrum of experience and identity.”
“These incredible photographs and this exhibition provide time for residents to consider the experiences of those with different perspectives and participation in our city than ourselves, or for people of similar experience to see themselves represented so visibly and beautifully in Allie’s amazing work.”
The exhibition was formally launched on Monday 2 December at Swinton Gateway and is now open to the public until January 7 2025.
You can find further details of ‘Still I Rise II’ and how to access Swinton Gateway.
Press and media enquiries
