Ayesha Jones – The Backbone

Ayesha Jones’s The Backbone is a photographic series exploring idiopathic scoliosis as a lens to address female health more broadly. This intimate work brings together personal narratives and collective life stories, illuminating the experiences of females who have been historically marginalised in medical discourse, and includes newly commissioned writing by Pelumi Odubanjo, Natalie Mann, and Roma Bansil.

Through evocative images and intimate reflections, Ayesha shares her journey with severe scoliosis. The condition becomes a vehicle for the artist to challenge misconceptions and advocate for a comprehensive understanding of female health. The work highlights often-overlooked narratives surrounding female experiences, emphasising the importance of visibility, representation, and research in transforming healthcare and societal perceptions.

The Backbone invites viewers to engage in critical conversations about identity, health, and the power of storytelling, fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities of the female body and issuing a call to action for equitable healthcare.

The Backbone is presented in association with GRAIN Projects and the Royal Photographic Society.