Shaming Stigma
This body of work explores ways to sensitively engage with gender based violence. The series title Shaming Stigma refers to the significance that shame plays in silencing societal knowledge and understanding around GBV. Through this work I want to draw attention to the stigma borne by women who are subjected to violence and abuse.
All of the works use the same motifs of women’s portraits which are inspired by photographer Adriana Lestido’s photos of imprisoned women (Mujeres Presas 1991-93).
In Portrait Key Rings (2024) 98 miniature portraits hang like hotel key rings. This work is an emotional response to the continuing sexual exploitation of women and girls. Exhibited at Through Line at Tuckers Maltings, Newton Abbot, Devon (July-August 2024).
Worthy/Unworthy (2025) is an installation of an 8 panel lepparello artist book on a shelf, below which are hung multiple portraits. The shelf is a symbolic divide between the worthy and unworthy. This work questions the worth/unworthy-ness of women hidden from public view and stigmatized by society. Who is the ‘right’ kind of woman to be put on a pedestal? Exhibited at On & Off, Shadow & Light, F Block Gallery, UWE, Bristol (February 2025).
Spoils (2025) is a sculpture made from a wooden ammunition box which is filled with 93 rubber stamp portraits. By placing the multiple portraits into the ammunition box in place of bullets, I am reflecting on the brutal violence against women and girls in war. Exhibited for Small but Mighty, Bankside Gallery, London (November 2025).
Out of the Frying Pan and into the Fire (2026) is a response to recent research (Centre for Women’s Justice, July 2025) that shows nearly 70% of women in prison in England and Wales are known to be victim-survivors of domestic abuse. Instead of receiving help and support (to leave the metaphorical ‘frying pan’) women who are victims of domestic abuse, instead find themselves in prison (and in the metaphorical ‘fire’). Their situation, instead of being helped and getting better, is made even worse.
The wallpaper and its imagery symbolise the connection between the domestic space and prison, and to refer to how domestic abuse is often hidden in plain sight. Exhibited at MAKE South West, Devon (February-March 2026)