The above picture shows a shop display stand I found at car boot sale for £2. I bought it because I thought it looked similar to a stomach shape. This was the original structure of my stomach, and it represents the reconstructive work the surgeons tried to do by rebuilding my stomach. Unfortunately, it was unsuccessful and my stomach was removed.
I reflected on the structure for around a month after buying it. Every person has a stomach which starts off as normal, which the display unit represents. Due to disease, my stomach structure could not remain as ‘normal’. I suddenly got an idea to reflect on my hospital experiences in connection with the stomach surgery.
I was in so much pain in hospital and did not want to live anymore. Horrible time. Barbed wire and black hooks represent the terrible pain which was like someone ripping my stomach apart. The hooks represent the ripping sensation of pain when I was moved about. No matter how much morphine I had, it was unbearable and I just wanted it to end.
The barbed wire and fixing bands I bought from Jewson’s and built this around the original structure. The rake was also from a car boot sale. I have never been so excited to see a rake, as it was just what I was searching for!!!
The finished sculpture represents the attempts of the surgeons at rebuilding my stomach, but failed. The finished result also conveys my physical pain to the audience. It is a representation of my journey through surgery and pain.
