Current Exhibition
Un/Masked
Naoto Yoshida
in collaboration with Priyanka Pattni, Reeve Hart, and Lizziy Parker
8 March - 4 May 2024
|
|
 |
|
Aperture Gallery is pleased to present the new exhibition 'Un/Masked' by Naoto Yoshida, a Japanese documentary photographer and writer.
Un/Masked is a unique photographic project to visualise "invisible disabilities" by documenting the everyday life of neurodivergent young people and celebrating it. "Neurodiversity" is the term used to recognise that our brains function and process information in a variety of different ways. Unlike "neurotypical" people whose brains function and process information within the standards that society expects, "neurodivergent" people, whose brains do this in a slightly or significantly different way, face many challenges in social contexts. As a result, many neurodivergent people are forced to adjust their behaviours or hide their uncomfortableness in public spaces. Some of them describe themselves in these situations as "masked". On the other hand, when they are free from these social expectations or can "unmask" themselves, they feel relaxed and more like themselves. Neurodivergent people also often find their own ways and routines in their lives to cope with or to be free from stressful environments.
Documenting neurodivergent individuals, Un/Maksed is surprisingly relatable to all types of audience. Indeed, the term "neurodiversity" is intended to recognise that we all have more or less different ways of feeling and reacting to the outside world. The project is a reminder of this fact and hopes for a society that is more accepting, understanding, and easier to navigate for people with different conditions.
Naoto Yoshida, born in 1989, is a Japanese independent writer and documentarian based in the UK and Japan. He has focused on social issues related to disability and para-sports over the past six years, publishing three co-written books. His subject matters stem from the question of what constitutes a disability in our society, exploring collaborative and participatory approaches with people concerned to enable them to play an active role in the creation of a project, utilising digital and analogue processes.
His work has been shortlisted for the Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize (UK, 2023) and Pitch Grant (Japan, 2023). His work was selected as a winner of Portrait of Britain vol. 6 (UK, 2023).
For more details, please download the full press release.
Artist’s Talk
2 pm / Saturday, 23 March 2024
Artist Naoto Yoshida will discuss his project Un/Masked, its background, concept, collaborative production process, as well as its challenges. This event is free to attend, and there is no need for RSVP.
Curator’s Tour
6 pm / Thursday, 11 April 2024
Sonoko Nakanishi, Programme Curator of Aperture Gallery, will guide you through the exhibition focusing on collaboration in art and photography. This event is free to attend, and there is no need for RSVP.
Visitor-friendly Days
Friday, 15 March / Friday, 12 April / Friday, 3 May 2024
The artist and staff will be in the gallery for visitors who require assistance with viewing. For further information, please contact Aperture UK via phone or email at [email protected].
For any inquiries about the exhibition and events, please contact Sonoko at [email protected].
Please note that the gallery is located on the basement level, and the access is only via stairs. Our staff will assist you with access as much as possible, but please do get in touch with us at [email protected] if you require any special assistance.