Drop the Mask Photography Gallery
Photography
Provocation - or submission objective:
Go out and about in nature and places across Coventry and Warwickshire, your garden, a park, the woods and capture images
'My Walk To Work'
Gemma Gray, ADHD (undiagnosed)
"These images are from my walk to work through woodlands – these are my happy place, and I’ve always spent lots of time wandering in the woods! Some of the pictures I’ve included here are because of the vibrant colours, but others represent what masking means to me, such as feelings of constraint or not fitting in."
"In one word for each image...how does each one make you feel?"
By Willow Grocott (Age 11)
Photography (mobile phone)
Autistic (currently being diagnosed)
'Kiss of Crisis'
By Marie Neville, Photography (digitally edited): ADHD (undiagnosed)
Fine & Dandy
I love dandelions—still and in motion, time and regrowth, hundreds of small possibilities.
Every day, I walk through fluorescent-lit rooms where wrappers rustle, perfume drifts and so on.
I used to almost hate myself for getting so annoyed—“Why can’t I handle other people’s noise when I do the same?”
It felt unfair, like two sets of rules. But I’ve learned that I’m simply more sensitive, and that’s okay. This is who I am, and I deserve to take care of myself.
Give yourself permission to fidget, to step back, step out and to use whatever tools help you thrive. We all deserve compassion—from others, and most importantly, from ourselves—so we can keep growing and not get flattened by weathering spaces and places that drain us.
Sensory - help
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Headphones, music, ear-plugs
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Work-from-home days: When possible. Choose quieter spaces
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Snacks and water on hand
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Gentle routines: short walk, a few deep breaths, a moment away from the desk can reset energy.
Nivaria Morales Salas
Nivi is a photographer based in Kenilworth, Warwickshire.
She was one of the exhibiting photographers at Gallery Photiq's Leamington Photofest in 2023, her work has been featured in several galleries across Warwickshire.
Nivi uses photography as a tool to process the world, a way to remind herself of the things she can perceive and a way to process difficult emotions. In recent years, she has been experimenting with macro photography and editing techniques. She has learned to do this through the unique way her eyes and brain work.
Nivi has shared the story of her passion for photography at TEDxLeamington Spa. She was also featured on RNIB campaign HowISee.
She was diagnosed with ADHD last year.
As part of the Drop the Mask project, she delivered a photography workshop where participants were encouraged to use photography as a way to express what dropping the mask meant to them.
To find out more about Nivi’s work visit https://linktr.ee/wonkyvision
People of all ages, whether diagnosed and neurodiverse, awaiting diagnosis or the loved one of a neurodiverse person are invited to help us....
Drop the Mask.
Drop the Mic.
Act Together.
Create Change.