Our Life Stories

A photograph of an exhibition within a grand hall
A photograph of a detail of an aluminium showcase design with triangular supports.

The ‘Our Life Stories’ exhibition showcases 2-years worth of inspiring research that was produced through a peer-to-peer interview process. The oral histories explain the disability landscape in England over the past fifty years, and will eventually be housed in the British Library accessible archive. Historically a community that has always had their stories told by other people, it has been a privilege to help platform their own, unfiltered narratives.

The display system has been designed to function as self-contained infrastructure, so it can plug in and out of any venue and organised to suit each space and audience comfortably. The setworks incorporate a service channel (removable shelves) that support in-built and battery-powered lighting and audio stations, ensuring all artworks are elevated in the same way as they would be in a permanent setting. The system has been designed so artworks can take different arrangements, while interpretation and objects can be flexibly organised.

Client
United Response
Category
Exhibition
Method
Assembly and Disassembly
Location
York, Nottingham, Truro, London
Photographer
Thomas Adank
Year
2026
A detail of an aluminium showcase design with a ledge holding printed caption panels and a listening device
A photograph of a cluster of exhibition showcases made of aluminium panelling set within grand hall with ornate timber ceiling
A photograph looking down a row of aluminium showcase structures displaying printed images and text panels. The background shows the ornate brick wall of a grand hall with large panelled windows.
A photograph from an elevated position of an aluminium showcase structure from the side, displaying its triangular supports. The structure sits in front of a stage with wooden floorboards and ornate painted edge.