‘Just because you are blind and unable to see my beauty doesn’t mean it does not exist,’ says Margaret Cho, one of 23 women represented in photographs by Lucie Pavlovich in an exhibition at Artscape, the Western Cape’s performing arts company, in Cape Town.

The exhibition, Look at Me, was inspired by a book that Artscape Director: Audience Development and Education Marlene le Roux wrote after attending an international conference on disabilities in Cardiff, Wales in 2002.

Le Roux was diagnosed with polio at the age of six and walks with the aid of a caliper. She is a recipient of many awards including, the Desmond Tutu Footprints of the Legends Leadership Award in 2001, and the French Knighthood in Performing Arts, 2003.

According to a press release marking the launch of the exhibition, the stories and photographs showcase the lives of 23 South African women living with disabilities.

They take you on a journey of self-discovery and reflection as their sensuality, strength and courage forces you to look beyond their disabilities. The women come from all walks of life and some were born disabled, while others were disabled by subsequent events.

‘This exhibition was intended to affirm not only women with disabilities, but all women. The exhibition is for every woman who has asked herself “who am I?”, or tried to tailor herself according to the acceptance of others.

‘The photographs and stories allow women to reflect on their struggles and their inner journey to personal self-mastery,’ says Le Roux.

‘I realised from a young age that society puts people with disabilities in a box with an “ag shame” [pitying] attitude and I felt I wanted to celebrate who I am – disability and all.’

Le Roux says writing the book Look at Me took her on a journey of self-discovery.

‘I realised that only a person with disabilities can change the mindset of society. With this in mind I started this personal journey and it dawned on me that the road to self-acceptance and sensuality is painful and challenging every single day.’

Being born with a disability or encountering disability later in life are two different things but equally challenging, Le Roux says.

‘Celebrating yourself as a sensual, sexual being, when society expects you to exist only according to their perception, is a path only a few are willing to take.’

Jean September, director British Council Cape Town, says: ‘This book portrays women living with disability as normal, but with an added life and their unflagging spirit of joy and hope.’

The British Council is honoured and humbled to be part of this exhibition, she says.

‘We would like to pay tribute to all these women for having the courage to share a slice of their lives with us, the public, and for making us think and reflect about people who have been historically marginalised.’

The exhibition will be hosted in Paarl, near Cape Town, from February to March 2009. To read more about the exhibition and to get in touch with Marlene le Roux visit Artscape. To find out what’s been happening in Africa visit our news in Africa section. To see upcoming events visit our events page. To find out where we are in Africa, visit this page.