Pictures of You
‘Pictures of You’ was an exhibition by Mr John Brookes - Canberry Arts in collaboration with professional photographer, Ms Hilary Wardhaugh, to explore the unique self-portrayals of people with disabilities. I nominated to share my story to shed some light on living with an invisible disability.
The exhibition opened on the International Day of People with Disability at the Belconnen Arts Centre in 2022 and featured extensively in the media before later becoming a public art display. To learn more of my story and the other sitters, please click the button below.
What does your pain look like?
This body of work is about shining a light on what people don’t see in a hope to inspire conversations, community awareness and change for people living with an invisible illness or disability.
The pictures with sitter Kristy were published online and in the media for Endometriosis Awareness Month 2023 in Canberra. We were also invited to Parliament House, on a local radio station and featured on a podcast to discuss these pictures and the story behind them. To view the photos in the series as well as read more about Kristy’s personal story, please click the button below.
*Please be advised the following content may be upsetting for some viewers.
The Face of Chronic Pain Series
This series comprises of 21 pieces that give a voice to the many faces of my chronic pain. My hope is that by sharing my lived experience, I can help others that manage this invisible disability feel seen whilst bringing awareness to this condition to make it more visible.
*Please be advised the following content may be upsetting for some viewers.
Sinking Sorrows into Lukewarm Bathwater
This is a self-portrait taken during a very challenging time in my life. My work is about capturing the raw realities of life that are often hidden and handled alone out of sight. Unable to shift my mood, I chose to document my own hidden reality.
* Melissa is currently writing up her work on this project and will publish her story soon.
Shhh… I know best
Disabilities from a car accident rendered me invisible. I was made to feel like I didn’t belong anymore - even in conversations about my own health. This piece is about capturing that felt experience and frustration.
My hope is that this piece will inspire those that feel silenced to speak up and for those that stopped listening to start. A basic human need is to feel seen and heard and having a disability shouldn’t change that but it certainly did for me.
* Melissa is currently writing up her work on this project and will publish her story soon.