Title : “Facing the unknown – a conversationwith a part“
Year of production : 2026
Materials : epoxy resin 3D printer filament, handcuff, veil, linear actuators, wood, chains
Dimensions : 156 x 78 x 62 cm (with pedestal: 197 x 78 x 62 cm)
Description:
My work examines the phenomenon of chronic illness as a constantly changing entity, a monster that initially evokes feelings of threat and danger, but upon closer inspection can bring about transformation and insight. This refers not only to the relationship between the individual and the “monster that dwells within” but extends to a universal understanding of illness within societies.
The connection between chronic illness and the concept of the monster appears both intuitive and symbolically charged. Chronic illnesses present themselves as unpredictable, uncontrollable, and unsettling, as aggressions or attacks against the body, which sometimes lie hidden, only to emerge with sharp spikes destabilizing everyday functionality and self-efficacy. Societally, they are often understood as diffuse and difficult entities that cause distress and incomprehension. With the transformation of the illness into an object, it is moved outward and made visible and more tangible. A space for dialogue opens up in which one can face personal fears, express questions, and arrive at new insights. A veil is lifted from the structures of illness, or perhaps it is gently placed upon the spikes as a sign of patience, understanding, and tenderness toward the self.
The tensions felt point to conflicts between external expectations, shaped by societal notions of functionality and strength, in contrast to the authentic, vulnerable, and thoroughly human self. Thus, the monster in my artistic work oppose normative ideas of the body and physical value and opens a more understanding view of human existence and experiences. It brings about he question, if an evolution of thought might be necessary as we are all eternally cuffed to our constantly changing and transforming bodies. Illnesses and physical changes are not to be understood as a diffuse monster that attacks unfortunate individuals, but as a natural part of life to be embraced and dealt with.
Artist Statement
In my work I address the effects of chronic illness on the body and the altered perception of one’s own self. Based on my own experiences with an illness, I seek and find beauty in the terrible and develop a visual language that opens up new perspectives on the ever-changing body. In doing so, I emphasize the universality of external and internal influences on the body and see physical changes as a natural part of our life cycle. My work invites reflection on vulnerability, dependence, illness, and the search for meaning in the context of physical limitations.