The work explores the personal effect of a Catholic upbringing, the all-encompassing ideology that infiltrates all areas of life and what happens when this immersive ideology is questioned by an individual, by myself, as a response to events, happenings, behaviours of others and ways of being that are not part of or should not be part of that ideology – the secrets, the hidden experiences and actions that don’t fit within the constraints and parameters of the teachings of the Catholic faith. The artwork and accompanying poems explore the feelings of loss, growing dissatisfaction and lack of confidence that develops when confronted by a happening or happenings that confuse and contradict the all-encompassing guidance, direction and way of living espoused by the family and Catholic faith. The artwork and poetry explore the questioning of deep-rooted views, habits, actions and understandings that are part of the formation of an individual, myself, born into the Catholic environment and how this upbringing continues to have an impact on me as an adult. The mixed media and poems explore the spiritual, physical, habitual and visual effects on my upbringing and how these are difficult to reject and exist outside of.
All works acrylic, embroidery, collage and found objects on board.
