A Personal Story Through Photos – Boy, Listen!

On June 7, 2025, Dace Voitkeviča’s solo exhibition Boy, Listen! opened at the Ogre History and Art Museum.

The exhibition is the photographer’s personal visual story, enriched with interactive elements, about a child’s life with autism spectrum disorder. The challenges associated with autism are sometimes invisible, yet public understanding can significantly strengthen support for diverse needs. People with autism spectrum disorders have a rich inner world but often find it difficult to share it with others. Like everyone else, they explore the world and seek connection and security in their own way. By highlighting both differences and shared experiences, the exhibition encourages greater awareness of the realities of everyday life.

In Latvia, several initiatives dedicated to autism have taken place to promote public understanding and provide support. However, exhibitions specifically devoted to autism spectrum disorders have been relatively rare.

On June 7, Ogre celebrated Family Day with an extensive programme. For the Ogre History and Art Museum, it was important to involve the public in this conversation and to support family values, with particular attention to children with special needs and their parents. The museum environment is accessible to people with functional disabilities.

The exhibition’s author notes:
“Sometimes support does not require much – just an understanding of the challenges that people with autism face every day.”

Dace Voitkeviča is a photographer whose work focuses on documentary stories about contemporary society, communities of interest, and the environment. She holds a Master’s degree in Art History from the Latvian Academy of Arts and a Master’s degree in Art Management from the Latvian Academy of Culture. For more than ten years, she has organised photography events and exhibitions for wide audiences, bringing together professionals, amateurs, and representatives of various socially vulnerable groups.

The exhibition was open from June 7 to September 28, 2025.

Spatial design: Māris Grosbahs
With thanks to Līva Veigure for her support in developing the exhibition.