The social determinants of health are external and internal factors that
professionals have determined to influence overall health. In a practical hospital setting,
a list of these questions is asked of the patient to assess risk. While this practice is fairly
new, the invasive medical questioning of women proves its persistence. Four of the six
subjects featured work in the medical field, and take part in the questioning as much as
they endure it themselves. The grey area between ethical and invasive, confidence and
exposure and observation and privacy were the main drivers for the work; the
photographs explore my place in all of this. I became the object, displaying my
loved-ones information across my body. Interviewing them personally but also offering
up myself to be looked at only further complicates the relationships within the work.
professionals have determined to influence overall health. In a practical hospital setting,
a list of these questions is asked of the patient to assess risk. While this practice is fairly
new, the invasive medical questioning of women proves its persistence. Four of the six
subjects featured work in the medical field, and take part in the questioning as much as
they endure it themselves. The grey area between ethical and invasive, confidence and
exposure and observation and privacy were the main drivers for the work; the
photographs explore my place in all of this. I became the object, displaying my
loved-ones information across my body. Interviewing them personally but also offering
up myself to be looked at only further complicates the relationships within the work.
Lynda
Shawna
Alaina
Betty
Tracy
Hayley
The hospital gowns resist the urge to fabricate emotional visuals and instead opt
for text-based data. In conjunction are the subtle emotional gestures to the relationship
between myself and the gowns within the photographs. The gowns splayed along the
wall reference pinned butterfly specimens and the cold, white environment of the photos
help influence the sterile feel of the works. By displaying the data on the gowns, I have
given the subjects an unbiased voice, while simultaneously stripping away their
privacy. The work attempts to destigmatize women's health while uncovering the
invasive nature of medical questions women are pressured to answer throughout their
lives.
for text-based data. In conjunction are the subtle emotional gestures to the relationship
between myself and the gowns within the photographs. The gowns splayed along the
wall reference pinned butterfly specimens and the cold, white environment of the photos
help influence the sterile feel of the works. By displaying the data on the gowns, I have
given the subjects an unbiased voice, while simultaneously stripping away their
privacy. The work attempts to destigmatize women's health while uncovering the
invasive nature of medical questions women are pressured to answer throughout their
lives.
