Around one in 36 US children are known to have Autism Spectrum Disorder. Yet autistic individuals are portrayed in the media, outside of a handful of shows, as strange savants: gifted in a small set of areas and otherwise incompetent or helpless. The Center for Documentary Studies’ current exhibit “Visible Spectrum: Portraits from the World of Autism” aims to challenge these stereotypes, using the medium of photography to portray the daily lives of autistic people.
“Visible Spectrum: Portraits from the World of Autism” is drawn from a photography collection of the same name by Mary Berridge. Berridge is an accomplished photographer focused on social commentary whose work has been exhibited around the country and received many awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship. She is also the mother of an autistic child and an active participant in the Autism Society, an organization that supports the autistic community.
It was this combination of her existing work as a photographer and her own experiences with the autistic community that inspired her to depict the lives of these individuals. She leveraged her existing connections within the community to find participants willing to be photographed.
The exhibit was created at Duke by students in the Documentary Studies class “Photo Fever: Curating Photography Exhibitions” (DOCST 333S/733S.) In the course, a group of undergraduate and graduate students were tasked with curating a photo exhibit. They chose to use Berridge’s collection and selected a total of 20 photos to exhibit in a room on the bottom floor of the Center for Documentary Studies’ complex.
The selected photos depict about 10 autistic individuals, all but one of whom were either teenagers or children when the photos were taken. Each subject is a current or former member of the North Carolina community, and their photos are paired with written commentary provided by either them or, when necessary, their parents. The intimate nature of the commentaries is amplified by Berridge’s own photography. The photos are revelatory without being intrusive and provide insights into the subjects’ internal perspectives, clearly informed by her experience as the parent of an autistic child.
The individuals portrayed in the exhibit represent a diverse range of abilities across the autism spectrum, including those with both lower and higher support needs. The photos and commentaries capture various aspects of their lives, from everyday activities at home to nature trips to hanging out with family. We see the children in their homes, in school and outdoors. Along the way, the exhibit dispels common myths about the autistic community, challenging the stereotype of autism as a monolith.
Berridge gave a talk during the exhibit’s opening in which she talked about her decision to create the photo exhibit. She recalled taking a photograph of her child on a vacation and realizing how so many of the things she loved about him were directly related to his autism. She discussed how autism brings both challenges and opportunities, and emphasized how people with autism have a unique perspective on the world around them. She also highlighted several of the students who curated the exhibit and some of the people featured in the exhibition who have since come to view it.
The exhibit is overall both interesting and well-curated. The photos are arranged in a way that perfectly leverages the room they’re shown in, and the ones chosen are both engaging and educational. Special attention was given to creating a truly accessible exhibit, including a designated section for any autistic viewers who might feel overwhelmed, allowing them to experience the exhibit comfortably. The photos and commentary effectively highlight that, while autistic individuals seem very different on the surface, their lives are full of universally relatable experiences – from awkwardness at parties to personal preferences.
Outside of highlighting the often overlooked perspectives of autistic individuals, the exhibit does a great job of making autism feel less foreign to those with little real exposure to it. Overall, the exhibit is interesting, educational and designed to be easily accessible to all viewers.
“Visible Spectrum: Portraits from the World of Autism” can be viewed between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday - Friday in the Center for Documentary Studies.
Editor's note: Senior Karen Xu, who helped curate the exhibit, is a Photography Editor Chronicle’s 120th volume.
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Zev van Zanten is a Trinity junior and recess editor of The Chronicle's 120th volume.