Photography exhibition highlights life with musculoskeletal conditions

19 Dec 2017

A photography exhibition focussing on the daily lives of people in the North West living with musculoskeletal conditions, has opened in Gallery Oldham.

‘The Future in Your Hands’ exhibition has been organised by members of the School of Biological Sciences’ Centre for Musculoskeletal Research and funded by the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre.

A collaborative work between photographers Luke Brooker and Amanda McGovern, the exhibition aims to raise awareness of musculoskeletal conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus and Psoriatic Arthritis, underlining how these conditions affect people of all ages and backgrounds and the actions they take each day to live their lives to the full.

The photographs show people with a musculoskeletal condition passing a baton to well known figures in the Manchester community, as a symbol of sending a message about these conditions.

The project was conceived by Dr Suzanne Verstappen, Director of Social Responsibility for SBS, who highlighted the need to raise awareness of the prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions in our communities.

Professor Jane Worthington, Head of the School of Biologicial Sciences, emphasised the strength of musculoskeletal research at the University. She said: “The photographs provide a wonderful illustration of the determination of individuals with arthritis to continue experiencing life to the full.”

The exhibition will tour across the North West in 2018 and will run from 15 – 17 February at the Manchester Craft and Design Centre in the Northern Quarter.

For further details contact: James Anderson, Study Coordinator, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research.