Emily June Smith

Emily June Smith’s series A Dissonant Past Unmasked aims to shed light on the realities of living with autism and ADHD. Smith was diagnosed with both as a child but her family was left without proper training, so she transformed herself to fit in by masking. In A Dissonant Past Unmasked she and her family reenact events from their past, including childhood meltdowns, overstimulation, the constant pressure to conform to social norms, and the discomfort of physical interactions. This autobiographical approach bridges past rifts, and also attempts to acknowledge similar challenges in the present day. In staging this private suffering and making it public, the artist seeks “catharsis and closure in quiet scenes of dissonance”.  

The complexity of disability is often ignored because it appears to challenge conventional social norms. Narratives around these issues are also frequently told by others, leaving those who suffer – and those around them – with little voice. Here Smith attempts to recover agency, and by doing so, empower herself and others. Emily June Smith is a Romford-based artist, who graduated this summer from Falmouth University with a 1st class degree in photography. Her work diverges from typical documentary photography to explore personal and social circumstances.