Exhibition in Cork City Library to raise awareness of dyslexia

“Dyslexia can be very isolating.” So says artist Danielle Sheehy, whose illustrations about the condition are currently on show in the City Library on the Grand Parade.

At School With Dyslexia, the title of the exhibition, and the book from which the images are drawn, coincides with Dyslexia Awareness Day this month.

“Through the book and the exhibition (running until October 31), we are trying to create a feeling that you are not alone with dyslexia,” she said. “There can be one or two learners in every classroom feeling the same way, but they’re made to feel like they’re the only one.”

The book is the second in the series by Cork-based dyslexia expert Sascha Roos, published by Little Brown Books.

Danielle, a visual artist and illustrator who has lived and worked in Cork for over 20 years, is delighted her images have been enlarged for all to see in Cork library – the library with the most footfall in the country.

The focus is very personal, and it is supportive. It is about how these young people feel. At the last exhibition, for the first book, people were crying saying they’d never seen their story depicted before.

The artist also believes this relates to the author’s approach to drafting the books.

“An invite will be sent to all the young people involved to attend the exhibition. The last book signing was very emotional. There is a real loyalty between the young people involved and the author. She has created a community within this book.

“Sasha has picked the quotes – they are familiar to her, but by slotting in the correct quote you’re getting the authentic voice of the young person. It’s really moving. It also gives me an opportunity to make people realise their experience in school was not their responsibility, and not their fault.”

This second book focuses on practical up-to-date help for children in secondary school. The images, however, are very much about how young people feel being dyslexic at school.

“Jools, the author, has recorded their voices and put the quotes down, and I am illustrating what they’re saying. One image is of a girl called Julie crying with her dog. I’m trying to draw out that emotional experience.”

From a Masters in sculpture from Sydney to teacher training in Limerick, Danielle is well versed in both art and learning and feels the information in the book is invaluable to dyslexic learners, but also useful for everyone.

I trained as a teacher and my real interest is with people with disability. I do a lot of one-to-one work with people who can’t get into school.

“I know that before they turn 12, people with ADHD get 20,000 times the negative feedback received by their peers.

“It’s similar with dyslexia and we know there are a disproportionate number of neurodivergent learners in our prisons. Many prisoners will speak about dyslexia and the destructive role it played in their lives. So, these tips, these study skills, are especially important.”

During our conversation, the artist explains how small strategies like using flash cards and spider diagrams can help, as can blocking your time to allow for some relaxation time after a challenging day at school.

Sadly, says the teacher and artist, “schools can become place of stress and anxiety. It doesn’t teach them to love learning, which is what they need.”

She also believes we need to shift our mindset about what dyslexia is. One section of the exhibition exploring the many strengths such children have is illustrated in the ‘famous dyslexics’ image which hosts a group of the scientists and inventors who have shaped our world.

“The list of incredible people who are dyslexic is unbelievable: Henry Ford; the Wright Brothers; Agatha Christie; Jo Malone. 

If you look at the image in the exhibition, you question why we are not focusing on the fact that all the game changes of technology and engineering are dyslexic? What are we teaching?

“Everyone is saying ‘think outside the box’ and these are people who genuinely do. Richard Branson was famously told he was either going to be either a millionaire or in prison.

“Yes, we have amazingly successful dyslexics but there is a cost to society on one hand – reducing the confidence of people who are potentially game changing designers.”

Visitors to the exhibition are invited to add their own experiences with dyslexia to the Post-it board, to share with others their experience with the condition and bring more focus on the success stories of interesting dyslexic people.

“We are very excited to host this beautiful and interactive exhibition featuring amazing art by Danielle,” says Patricia Looney of Cork City Libraries. “The library is the perfect space to enhance public awareness of dyslexia and the various supports the libraries have for those with dyslexia,” she says.

Danielle Sheehy is also running a workshop to support young people in post-primary school. It is taking place in Hollyhill Library on October 19.