Our Human Condition

Our Human Condition was a research project that addressed the personal stories of siblings in which one or more of them has a genetic condition. The resulting suite of 29 photographs was exhibited at The OXO Gallery, London during January 2020, and by invitation at the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood in February 2020.

Over a two year period of sustained engagement, Wenham-Clarke worked with seven charities to recruit families with well-known conditions such as Downs Syndrome to more rare conditions such as Albinism and ATRX. The programme of research explored how the siblings’ development influenced each other’s lives; how they saw society; and how society related to them. It sought their views on new genetic therapies and screenings that are now available or might be introduced in the future. The project included one family whose son was taking part in one of the first human genetic trials for muscular dystrophy.

Powerful and moving insights into the world of these individuals were revealed,
demonstrating a robust pride in their sense of worth and contribution to wider society. These finding were shared at The World Congress of The International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 2019.

The work was selected in the highly prestigious peer-reviewed exhibitions, such as AOP50, the 50th Anniversary of The Association of Photographers, The British Journal of Photography’s Portrait of Britain, and The International Photography Awards. The London exhibition had 4000 visitors and hundreds of thousands of views by commuters whilst on the large scale digital screens at Waterloo Bridge and along The Thames Embankment. Genetic Society and leaders in the field of genetics have acknowledged the work's contribution to public education and awareness.