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A picture paints a thousand words and a new photographic exhibition aims to stimulate and challenge misinformed assumptions and unexplored stereotypes linked to ageing.

The University of Western Australia’s Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences Education Centre will launch Depth of Field: Exploring Ageing this Wednesday 13 May.

With more than 30 documentary style photographs by renowned and talented WA photographer Steve Wise , the exhibition presents raw and honest photographic images of 14 older West Australians, complemented by audio-narrated film of their health care experiences.

The Depth of Field exhibition aims to create a different space; a more humanistic lens to consider new perspectives around ageing.

The photographic stories represent a diverse range of age-related health and social issues, ranging from dependence in a hostel setting to healthy older adults living independently in the community.

Project leader and education specialist Dr Gabrielle Brand said the photographs aimed to evoke an awareness of ageism and challenge negative attitudes towards older adults.

“These photographic images are part of a bigger education project that involves older people in curriculum design and healthcare education,” Dr Brand said.

“The photographs and audio-narrated film will be part of an innovative, digital reflective learning resource that is designed to stimulate in-depth discussions, examine unexplored stereotypes, and challenge current and future health care professionals through reflection, to consider new perspectives and alternative understandings around ageing.”

The Depth of Field: Exploring Ageing exhibition is an unique opportunity to showcase Steve Wise’s powerful and thought-provoking photographs and to acknowledge the 14 Bethanie residents who generously volunteered their time and shared their stories to help move health professions students and practitioners “beyond diagnosis” to a more humanistic model of care for older adults.

The exhibition will be launched on Wednesday from 5pm to 7pm at the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery at The University of Western Australia and will run until Saturday 16 May from 11am to 5pm.  The project was funded by the WA Nurses Memorial Charitable Trust Grant .

FURTHER INFORMATION

Steve Wise is an accredited Medical Photographer with Australian Institute of Medical and Biological Illustration and a Master Photographer with the Australian Institute of Professional Photography.  He works as a Medical Photographer at Royal Perth Hospital.  His distinctive style and creative approach has earned him the 2014 and 2012 WA AIPP Portrait Photographer of the Year and recently a finalist in the 2014 AIPP Australian Creative Photographer of the Year Award and the 2014 Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize.

Media references

Dr Gabrielle Brand ( Education Centre, Faculty of Medicine Dentistry & Health Sciences  (+61 8) 9 6488 6893
Christianne White (WA Centre for Health and Ageing)  (+61 8) 9224 2993 / (+61 4) 15 213 661
David Stacey (UWA Media and Public Relations Manager)  (+61 8) 6488 3229 / (+61 4) 32 637 716