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Exploration of Wound Book
Collection:CSM Museum & Study Collection
Date: 2024
Artist: Lucy Chapman
Dimensions:
Folder: 357 × 260 mm (14 1/16 × 10 1/4 in.)
Medium: Giclée digital prints, etchings, screenprint, acrylic/painting, chine collé prints, gold leaf, and letterpress text
Object number: F.2025.6.CC
DescriptionA collection of giclée digital prints, etchings, screenprint, acrylic/painting, chine collé prints, gold leaf and letterpress text housed in a replica blue hospital file folder with stapled cover sheet and stickers.
Artist's statement:
"Exploration of Wound is a selection of work from a project spanning over two decades of medical treatment and surgery, presented here in a replica blue hospital file folder. The project is ongoing.
These pieces are representative of a larger work, called Day to Day Living, which is a complete reimagining of my NHS Hospital File from my own perspective. Day to Day Living takes the form of an edition of two concertina bound artists books, one of which is available to view by request at the Wellcome Collection in Euston: https://wellcomecollection.org/works/tt4txbbb
My NHS Hospital file is a potent object for me, emblematic of the literal weight and time lost to my disease and the professional care and expertise dedicated to it. But it is also totemic of the institution and the biomedical view. It is held by the institution. It is not mine. The measurable physical basis of disease/experience is the apex of the biomedical model hierarchy. This project became a way of challenging the hierarchy of information within this model, and exploring the multi-faceted and dissonant roles I inhabit as 'Patient'.
Exploration of Wound includes redacted and reworked copies of medical notes, letters, medical imagery and photos I have taken within hospital during treatments. Taking photos in hospital is controlled and generally denied, so requires negotiation with caregivers or discretion. By reworking my file I am attempting to take ownership of the narrative.
I am particularly interested in the metaphysical aspects of illness. For me pain has been / is a portal to metaphysical and alternate realities. In this work, I explore representations of wounds and ceilings as portals.
This work is also a testament to and exploration of the power of love and compassionate care. It speaks of the ineffable and interconnected nature of the human condition, none of us can exist alone, we are all interbeing."
Artist's statement:
"Exploration of Wound is a selection of work from a project spanning over two decades of medical treatment and surgery, presented here in a replica blue hospital file folder. The project is ongoing.
These pieces are representative of a larger work, called Day to Day Living, which is a complete reimagining of my NHS Hospital File from my own perspective. Day to Day Living takes the form of an edition of two concertina bound artists books, one of which is available to view by request at the Wellcome Collection in Euston: https://wellcomecollection.org/works/tt4txbbb
My NHS Hospital file is a potent object for me, emblematic of the literal weight and time lost to my disease and the professional care and expertise dedicated to it. But it is also totemic of the institution and the biomedical view. It is held by the institution. It is not mine. The measurable physical basis of disease/experience is the apex of the biomedical model hierarchy. This project became a way of challenging the hierarchy of information within this model, and exploring the multi-faceted and dissonant roles I inhabit as 'Patient'.
Exploration of Wound includes redacted and reworked copies of medical notes, letters, medical imagery and photos I have taken within hospital during treatments. Taking photos in hospital is controlled and generally denied, so requires negotiation with caregivers or discretion. By reworking my file I am attempting to take ownership of the narrative.
I am particularly interested in the metaphysical aspects of illness. For me pain has been / is a portal to metaphysical and alternate realities. In this work, I explore representations of wounds and ceilings as portals.
This work is also a testament to and exploration of the power of love and compassionate care. It speaks of the ineffable and interconnected nature of the human condition, none of us can exist alone, we are all interbeing."