We Carry It With Us PRESS RELEASE

Photographer Looking For Adults Who Experienced Childhood Bullying

Stemming from his experience of antisemitic bullying at school, Jeremy Abrahams is looking for other adults to participate in a project which will visualise the positive and negative impacts of childhood bullying. His project aims to show the resilience and the trauma of participants, and empower younger people who have experienced bullying.

"Bullying leaves scars on all who go through it. Some people come out of the experience stronger, and turn their trauma into activism, seeking to better themselves and their communities. Others feel the ongoing impact on their adult life. But few forget the experience. I am now looking for more people who are happy to be photographed and want to share their stories."

Jeremy works collaboratively with subjects to find a location and create a portrait that reflects their story. Their words are integrated into the image to tell the parts of their story that the image cannot.

Part of the work, featuring subjects who were born, brought up or who live in Sheffield, will be exhibited at Weston Park Museum in Sheffield from January to March 2024.

Potential subjects, who must be 18 or over, are invited to get in touch to discuss taking part.

The project website is here: www.jeremyabrahams.co.uk/wecarryitwithus

Carol Stewart, Hunters Bar Junior School playground, Sheffield

I was the only black girl among my white friends. We went through a phase of playing a game where I was chosen to be the servant. When I protested about always being the servant, we took a vote, which I lost.

But it gave rise to my passion for social justice and equality.

Terezia Terry, Secondary School, Sheffield

I walked proudly to the board to complete the maths exercise. My teacher stood up, pointed at me and said ‘Don’t you ever come to school dressed like this!’

Today I am a teacher, empowering all pupils to feel proud of their heritage.