DISCRIMINATE by John Brookes Window gallery , Belconnen Arts Centre 2023

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DISCRIMINATE takes a challenging and satirical look at how modern-day media depicts people with disabilities and in doing so, often inadvertently, reinforces limiting preconceptions of the sector by the wider public.

DISCRIMINATE will explore these notions by using the style and design of early 20th Century propaganda posters widely used in the two World Wars, Maoist China, the Cold War etc.

This format will explore contemporary perceptions - through definitions identified in a recent UN Report - of people with disabilities as "victim" [perception of weakness, needing extra support] "hero" [idealises all disabled people as inspirational, hero status often through conforming to normal society, pressure on average disabled person to over-achieve] and "villain" [demonising those with mental health issues in media coverage of mass shootings, movie portraits of villains in mental health terms - "The Joker"].

The exhibition questions mainstream media portrayals and encourages people - disabled or not - to look beyond the popular messages and to be more 'discriminating' in their outlook as opposed to 'discriminatory.'