Emily June Smith, based in Romford, is a neurodivergent visual artist whose work diverges from traditional documentary photography to delve into personal and social contexts.
As someone with dyslexia, Smith's artistic practice serves as a medium through which she communicates her unique perspective on life.
Having personally experienced the challenges of living with a neurological disability, Smith is deeply passionate about amplifying the voices of misunderstood and underrepresented communities, shedding light on topics that often go under-explored.
'Embracing my identity after years of internal struggle has granted me a profound yet intricate view of the world. I aspire to empower others like myself to embrace their differences without shame.'
Through her art, Smith strives to authentically represent herself and those who have been marginalised by society.
In 2023, Smith joined the Zinnia Collective.
Smith has previously shown work at a number of exhibitions and publications nationally:
Exhibitions, programs and talks:
Autograph Gallery, Artist Development Programme 2024-2025/Stills Edinburgh, where are the disabled photographers, artist talk, 2024/Free Range, By All Means, 2024/Falmouth University, Graduate show, 2024/LND London, world autism day, artist talk, 2024/Bell House, Walking Upright, 2023/The Poly Falmouth, Melange, 2023/The Fish Factory, Disobedient Bodies, 2022/Falmouth University, Restoration 2021/The Barbican Centre Masculinities Liberation Through Photography: creative response from our community partners, 2020/Barking and Dagenham College, 2019
Publications:
PhotoVogue, July 8th 2024/ British Journal Of Photography, graduate show 2024: An (almost) comprehensive UK list, 2024/Photo vogue, July 1st 2024/ Open Doors Gallery,Free Range 2024 top 10 picks/ Spectrum Magazine, 2024/ Suboart Magazine, 2024/ Boundless Pictures, winner April, 2024/ Femlens, 2024/ Folks Magazine,2024/ Camera Club, Open call, runner up, 2024/ Falmouth university, website, 2024/ Photo Vogue, Best of Photo Vogue, April 8th 2024/ BBC radio London, 2024/ BBC radio Cornwall, 2024/ Safelight paper Magazine, 2024/ Float Magazine, 2024/ Marino Magazine, 2024/ Photo Vogue, April 17th 2023/ Whisper Magazine, issue three, 2022.
Projects
- A Dissonant Past UnmaskedAt primary school, a teacher told me I would end up in prison. I struggled more at home. Diagnosed since childhood with ADHD and Autism, my shouting and hitting were moments no-one looked forward to. Stigmatised by the community, and isolated without adequate training, my family and I had to learn to cope. For me, I morphed myself to fit in, by hiding behind imaginary masks. A Dissonant Past Unmasked is a photographic project positioning my family and myself inside re-enactments of our lives. P
- Five bowls of cerealFive bowls of Cereal follows the lives of two young people struggling with the unspoken parts of ADHD. They are the components that make living a healthy life difficult. Where one oscillates from consuming too much of something or not at all. Where the most mundane of domestic tasks seem to make or break a day. Where an ever-lasting pursuit for dopamine results in situations remaining stagnant. Over the course of the summer, in the home we shared, I photographed myself and my partner as subject
Work history
Making Connections: Artist Development ProgrammeAutograph
London, United KingdomInternship
M
M
Freelance PhotographerMayn Creative
- Falmouth, United KingdomFreelance
Education
BA PhotographyFalmouth University
- Falmouth, United Kingdom
Grade:1st class
B
B
BA PhotographyBarking and Dagenham College
- Romford, United Kingdom
Grade: Distinction +