Preview: Debbie Todd @ Bishop Auckland Town Hall | NARC. | Reliably Informed | Music and Creative Arts News for Newcastle and the North East

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Bishop Auckland Town Hall hosts the first solo exhibition from multi‑award‑winning photographer Debbie Todd from 16th February to 15th May. Specially commissioned for the venue, the show brings together two bodies of work: The Meaning of Being Different, installed across the Library wall, and Extra Ordinary, presented in the historic Strong Room to coincide with Down Syndrome Awareness Day (21st March).

Todd, a socially engaged portrait photographer from County Durham, works closely with marginalised communities to explore identity, visibility and representation through a fine‑art lens. Her practice, shaped by working‑class experience and influenced by both Old Masters and contemporary portraiture, has earned national recognition, with recent shortlistings for Portrait of Britain and the London Camera Exchange Awards.

Speaking about her upcoming solo show Debbie adds, “The work shown at Bishop Auckland is rooted in proverbs and idioms that shape perceptions of people with different conditions, identities and lifestyles. By pairing imagery with language, the series encourages audiences to reflect on how everyday phrases can impact individuals and communities.
 
“The portraits represent people often misunderstood or excluded from mainstream media, offering space for recognition, understanding and inclusion.
 
“This being my first solo show, I’m proud to share the work in a space that’s accessible to everyone.”

Entry is free, and available to visit Monday to Saturday, 10am–4pm.

Keep your nose clean (2022) Angela Autoimmune disease by Debbie Todd

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