Group Exhibition: “What did they tell you?”
Friday 31 January from 6pm to 10pm Saturday 1 February from 10am to 4pm Sunday 2 February from 10am to 4pm
“What did they tell you?” is an exhibition showcasing the work of 38 women, trans and gender diverse artists and their difficult experiences with medical misogyny.
The show was devised by artist Em Hatton after her own challenges navigating the health system, having recently been diagnosed with endometriosis after 20 years of symptoms. Angered by the discovery that her experience of medical misogyny seems to be the norm rather than the exception – and the things doctors have told her, such as “You should just have a baby to cure your pain,” and “You have an undiagnosed pain syndrome,” – Em was motivated to develop "What did they tell you?”
The artists have channelled their personal experiences with illness and how they are treated by the medical establishment into a colourful, vibrant and powerful collection of works across multiple media including painting, ceramics, sculpture, drawing, video and sound.
Exhibiting artists vary in art practice, age, identity, illness and background. But they all have one thing in common – navigating a medical system that overlooks and denies their needs, experiences, pain and symptoms.
This exhibition is a connection point for people with shared lived experience, and an opportunity for people who have been dismissed over and over to share their experience and be validated and seen by their community.
Exhibition attendees have the opportunity to purchase artworks throughout the show, to meet the artists on opening night, and will be invited to share their own experiences on an interactive board.
Artist images pictured above:
Image 1: Scarlett Shine, “Role Self”, 60x75cm, Oil on board Scarlett's Instagram
Image 2: Em Crawford “Encoded (don’t tell me where to put my anger)”, Watercolour, tea and embroidery on calico Em's Instagram
Image 3: Rika Marlee "Out of Stromlo" 67x48cm, Wax pencil on paper Rika's Instagram
Image 4: Michaela Kaiser "Lithium Filter" 81cmx81cm, Watercolour, acrylic, oil paint and pencil on wood Michaela's Instagram