Untitled (woman in wheelchair at party, possibly a wedding) c. 1955

This photograph, by Paul Gittings, shows a woman in a wheelchair at what appears to be a wedding celebration. While the exact date of the image is unknown, the composition invites reflection on societal attitudes towards disability and representation. The photograph captures a moment of celebration, but also hints at the complexities of identity and inclusion. The woman in the wheelchair is surrounded by other people who seem able-bodied. We might ask ourselves, how is she participating in this event? While on the one hand, her presence at the party acknowledges her inclusion, it also may subtly highlight her difference. Is her story being told, or is she merely a background figure in someone else's narrative? The negative effect of the photo creates a ghostly, spectral quality to the image, underscoring the complex ways representation operates. We are left to consider the unseen stories, and unheard voices, that are often present in social gatherings.