When will the germs go away? Art, the pandemic and immunodeficiency
“COVID-19 is changing our community, and artistic expression can share the stories of those who have been silenced.”
MEDIA FEATURE: The RiotACT
The RiotACT have published some reflections of mine after launching my first public artwork Reticulum.
Reticulum is a sound sculpture that weaves together interviews from immunodeficient families with music inspired by the increasing isolation of the stars.
… Creativity can be powerful advocacy. Sharing these perspectives at the entrance of the University of Canberra Hospital hopefully provides a safe space for those visiting to consider what life may be like for someone who is immunodeficient. Reticulum doesn’t intend to proselytize, but instead provides opportunities for people to hear how the pandemic is still affecting Canberrans today.
Immunodeficiency is an invisible disease, and often sufferers don’t have their voices heard. One of the Canberrans I interviewed said “I was getting a blood test and one of the older ladies struck up a conversation and said ‘oh, can’t wait till this mandate is over. I’m going to get all of these things and I’m going to burn them and do some happy dance’. And I’m thinking, ‘You know what? This is like my safety net’”…