After the distraction of Cyprus it has been back to working in earnest for the degree show.
The final stitch on the Word canvas has been made! Now to decide how best to accentuate the painted words. I want to convey the idea that however much I tried over the years to cover up the experience of being abused and it’s aftermath, it is like an open wound that keeps on bleeding out. Until it is brought out into the open, healing cannot begin.
I decided to paint over the words again using watered down fabric paint, so it looked as if they had seeped through the lace that had obscured them. After painting over more than half the words I stepped back to take a look. My first thought was “Oh no! I’ve ruined it!” It looked so pretty before I did that – what have I done?” I was shocked at how much it disturbed me to look at the words, red and raw, now emblazoned over the front of the canvas. I felt so traumatised, that I had to leave and go home.
After spending all weekend agonising over what I had done and what I was going to do next, realisation slowly dawned. If I hope to raise peoples awareness about this issue the images need to disturb, they need to be uncomfortable to look at. I will persevere.
Tricia Cottrell: Words in progress: (2015)
Media: Fabric, Fabric Paint, Thread
Dimensions: 119.5cm x 258.75cm
Photograph: Tricia Cottrell 2015
Tricia Cottrell: Words in progress: (2015)
Media: Fabric, Fabric Paint, Thread
Dimensions: 119.5cm x 258.75cm
Photograph: Tricia Cottrell 2015
Close-up Detail
Tricia Cottrell: Words in progress: (2015)
Media: Fabric, Fabric Paint, Thread
Dimensions: 119.5cm x 258.75cm
Photograph: Tricia Cottrell 2015
Close-up Detail
