Heartherapy (2020)

During the global pandemic of 2020, our lives dramatically changed, as we were forced to isolate and remain inside until the threat of COVID-19 had passed. Our roles as academics accelerated, as we tried to keep connected with our communities. During this time, our use of on-line tools became more common, I was exhausted from the rapid technological changes of the era, everything seemed to be tipped upside down. Being on video calls all day, was extremely mentally exhausting.

I craved working in a more tactile way and as a result turned to working with my hands to sew. Heartherapy was my response to the era. I felt the situation was so critically broken, that all I wanted to do, was literally sew the broken pieces of our hearts back together. The act of sewing, was what kept me steady during this period and helped me to relieve some of the anxiety of living through the pandemic years. Over the years, I have become interested in working in textiles, due to their associations with homeliness, the domestic and feminine cultures. In particular, I up-cycled flannel pyjamas, as they represent a feeling of being warm and cozy, a private and vulnerable self, that you don’t share with the public. As we exited the pandemic, I framed Heartherapy, as it became my personal souvenir of a very strange era, which will have ongoing impact for years to come.

Heartherapy was shown at the School of Art ALL STARS Staff exhibition, 18-24 July, 2024 at RMIT Site 8 Gallery.