Tyran works on a photograph with help from his friend and assistant, Tim
A young photography student who suffers with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is hosting an exhibition of work inspired by his condition. Tyran Hawthorn was diagnosed with the debilitating muscle-wasting condition when he was a child. He uses rotten fruit to capture experimental photographic images to illustrate his mixed emotions of anger about his condition. The results are surreal and unusual.
The 24 year old, who is in his second year studying BA photography, said that he hoped the exhibition would raise awareness about the condition and raise money for the charity, Action Duchenne, which supports sufferers and their families. His ultimate ambition is to become commercially successful and perhaps develop his photography for album covers for some of his favourite heavy metal music.
Tyran, who is wheelchair-bound and can move just two fingers on one hand, has overcome the odds to display 16 pieces of work. He undertakes his photography by directing his friend and carer, Tim Connell, who arranges the objects until the image on the camera displays the picture Tyran is happy with at which point he operates the shutter using a remote device.
The university’s Professor of Molecular Medicine, Darek Gorecki , has spent years researching Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy which is the most common inherited muscle disorder and for which there is yet no cure. It affects one male child in every 3500 births and about 100 boys with are born with the condition in the United Kingdom each year. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by mutations in the DMD gene resulting in a defect in a protein in muscle fibres called dystrophin. Absence of dystrophin leads to progressive muscle weakness and wasting and most boys are in a wheelchair by age 12.
Professor Gorecki, who met Tyran recently and has seen the pictures in advance of tonight’s preview, said the photographs were compelling. He said: “Tyran’s condition is severe and his achievements are remarkable.
“There are some significant advances being made in researching the disease but we are still a long way from finding a treatment. It’s crucial that we make progress and in the meantime that we raise awareness of the condition.”
Tryan’s mum, Linda, said that she was thrilled that Tyran is working on something he enjoys. She said: “I’m delighted about the exhibition and we’ve already had some interest from local television Meridian news and BBC South Today which will be great exposure about the condition and should raise interest and awareness.”
The exhibition previews this evening in Eldon Building and runs until 18 November 2011 (10-2pm). All Tyran’s pictures are for sale and a percentage of the proceeds will be donated to the charity, Action Duchenne.
