Society Effects (2019)

Exhibited for ‘In Circles’ with Shape Arts at the Nunnery Gallery - Bow Arts, September 2019

‘Society Effects’ is a text-based satirical work (printed on A2 acrylic panels) that uses censoring and redaction to address the contradictory attitudes, ideals and disability politics relating to the marginalization, and oppression, of the disabled community within society. An example are the views of disability hierarchy such as ‘inspirational’ vs ‘benefit scroungers’, ‘superhumans’ vs ‘second-class’ and staring vs intentional avoidance. The black and white aesthetic amplifies societal polar extremes in regards to my intersectional identity and quadruple oppression as a disabled, neurodiverse woman of colour born into poverty. Within, there is a two-way exchange, and perhaps even uttering a complicit responsibility between the spectator and their social attitude towards disability, illness, mental health and race.

Society Effects also comments upon the reality of requiring medication multiple times a day – in my case, 21 pills a day. Even though we strive for a better quality of life, sometimes these medications wreck more havoc than benefits, or they provide an equal number of side-effects to relief. Medications mask symptoms rather than treating the cause or issue. This aside, there is an added fear of medication shortages (a disruption to European medication supplies) if Britain invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. Medicines are an essential part of care and treatment provided by the NHS for people living with long-term illnesses, mental health conditions and disabilities, as well as acute illnesses. Even though we battle the catch 22 behind taking these pills – we can’t make informed decisions if our medications are taken away.

X-rays (under the data protection act), images and works. All Rights Reserved ©️ 2021 Aminder Virdee.