Art Technique: Created by Assembling, Collaging and Stitching the Detritus of Medication Packaging Along With Representations of Comfort and Joy

ALT Text: Leaflet: What you need to know: Information for the User: Relief; your possible side effects [both said on right and left columns]; [Left Side]: Feathered heights, seeds of hope, a held-together heart, many petalled joys; [Right Side]: Reconnection with the music of life, perceived blue skies, green-leaved fate, star-guarded nights; [Bottom Caption]: Relief: medicines cause side effects, although not everybody gets, although not excessive medicine, if you get any side effects, modern magic

Artist’s Statement

“Modern Magic” was inspired by trench art, in which the detritus of war is used to make decorative items. While I no longer identify with the idea of life with illness being a battle to win, there is definitely conflict and much discarded medical waste. I made this piece from a medicine blister pack and information leaflet, along with representations of uplift and joy because, in this instance, the prescription had relieved some strong symptoms. The stitch used to attach the blister pack to the background is blanket stitch, which brings to mind comfort. The use of natural items in the pill compartments harks back to healing techniques before the development of modern medicine. They remind us that synthesized medicine isn’t necessarily the antithesis of traditional beliefs.

Germaine Hypher (she/her) has been disabled by ME and fibromyalgia since young childhood. She is author of the book Crafting a Path Through Illness—exploring creativity while chronically ill.

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