Institution
Technological University Dublin (TUD)
Medium
Installation
Graduation Year
Class of 2024
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"Hear Me, See Me" My practice engages with social issues related to women's health. This body of work, "Hear Me, See Me," focuses on the experiences of Mesh Survivors Ireland—a group of women, including myself, who have undergone permanent mesh implants made from polypropylene plastic, a surgical treatment for prolapse and stress incontinence. These implants have life-changing complications, an internationally shared struggle. "Hear Me, See Me" is a multimedia installation incorporating video, sculpture, text, and textiles. I designed it to encourage open conversations, gently protest societal norms, and highlight the personal as a form of protest. The work enables survivors to reclaim their often-overlooked status through recorded and filmed conversations. The films realistically portray the physical, emotional, sexual, and psychological challenges mesh survivors face, raising awareness and strengthening their voices. At the installation's entrance, the viewer is greeted by a series of small banners lining the hallway, resembling the corridors of a hospital. Vibrant capes, each decorated with empowering words, symbolise strength and resilience. These capes feature fabric-manipulated vaginas with Mesh emerging from them, representing mesh erosion. They are placed on a steel structure at various levels; the capes highlight that they have been worn, embodying the lived experiences of the survivors. They are designed to illustrate the women as superheroes. As wearable banners, the capes symbolise empowerment and activism. The A1 poster is sourced from the HSE website and is marked with personal notes expressing my frustrations at the HSE about complications from mesh devices, which are not mentioned on the website. A section of it is blacked out to illustrate what women are not allowed to talk about. It is placed with blue tape to match the hospital curtain. Underneath are leaflets available for viewers to take away. A display case contains textile artworks symbolising the struggles of mesh survivors, made from heated fabric and plastic to illustrate surgical intrusions and mesh erosion. These artefacts are created encourage viewers to engage with the historical and personal elements of the issue. Inside are artefacts such as a ticking bomb, a poker, a screen-printed and padded pelvis, and a 3D pelvis with replicas of polypropylene mesh devices, these are mounted on the far wall too. A replica mesh with a ruler shows the measurement of mesh removal surgery. A wire and fabric sculpture of a clenched fist. Descriptive words under each specimen help viewers understand their significance. The film is surrounded by a hospital curtain divider, creating an intimate space that mirrors survivors' isolation and the lack of assured privacy. This setting highlights the private nature of their stories. The film features five women sharing their stories, with the first woman's face visible and the others' faces unseen. Each woman holds a textile artefact during their narrative, seated in a homely setting with a pink tablecloth and pink stills symbolising femininity. The film captures their journey towards healing and justice, calling for change in women's health issues. Motivation and your inspiration. My motivation is rooted in advocating for women's rights and health, through my multidisciplinary art. I am driven to campaign for mesh survivor awareness, using art as a form of personal protest. Through textiles, I aim to softly but powerfully raise awareness about women's health issues and support Mesh Survivors Ireland. Through film, I empower women to speak for themselves, authentically capturing their voices and experiences. I use visual art, text, and sculpture to deepen understanding and raise awareness about their challenges. This multidisciplinary approach amplifies their stories and educates and engages audiences in supporting Mesh Survivors Ireland and women's health issues. I am dedicated to continuing my campaign and using the personal as a form of protest through raising awareness for disability and neurodiversity, including mental health issues. Through my art, I attempt to further understanding, empathy, and support for individuals facing these challenges. By increasing our voices and experiences, I aim to contribute positively to advocacy and promote inclusivity in Society. I am Influenced by the impactful works of socially engaged artist Rachel Fallon; I draw inspiration from Fallon's "8th Amendment Banners," "Apron of Power," and "Apron of Solitary." The collaborative works of Alice Maher, Rachel Fallon, and Breda Mayock, particularly the 8th Amendment banners and Fallon and Maher's "The Map from the Madeleine" series, use textiles to powerfully advocate for women's rights. This approach aligns closely with my goals of empowering and advocating for change.Sarah Corbett's "How to be a Craftivist: The Art of Gentle Protest" and the concept of "craftivism" also inspire my work. Through craftivism, I highlight the challenges faced by women impacted by health complications, particularly mesh survivors in Ireland. I develop art as a means of soft protest and conversation. "The Republic of Shame" by Caelainn Hogan, which explores the treatment of women and children in mother and baby homes by Society and the Catholic Church, resonates deeply with me as a mesh survivor. The struggles women faced are highlighted in this book. Other books that inspired me include "Caliban and the Witch" by Silvia Federici and "Witches, Sluts, and Feminists: Conjuring the Sex Positive" by Kristen J. Sollée, both of which emphasise how women have been wrongly treated for centuries.
