Clare Bradford I am Jeffrey

My concept was influenced by my relationship with Jeffrey, a young boy with Down Syndrome. He, as my subject matter, symbolises all who suffer physical and mental inequalities, which are particularly illuminated within a society which strives for idealised human perfection. Drawing allowed me to realistically capture the struggle to reclaim his individuality. This artwork involves the interactive role of the audience, as his life drawings are incomplete, and compels the audience to positively shape his future. The positioning encourages the audience/society to make a conscious decision to alter predetermined views of his potential in order to appreciate his worth.