On display at Linden New Art, Michelle Hamer’s new exhibition, I’m A Believer, confronts the dismissive language of chronic health issues while delving into issues of gendered language, access, and erasure.
Original letters, that have been ethically contributed by patients from around the world, including medical professionals, have been redacted, while retaining official formatting and scanned decay to expose the delegitimising wording that casts doubt or disbelief on symptoms.
The experience of patients themselves are left exposed and legible in the print works, along with any implied subjective or moral value judgements couched in professional objectivity.
This exhibition premieres the full suite of 15 editioned silkscreens, a selection of monoprints, plus a selection of hand-stitched works, all created from redacted letters, MRI/CT scans of body anomalies and glitches exploring the layering of screens and language.
I’m A Believer emerges as a profoundly relevant exhibition in wake of the Victorian Government’s recent announcement of Inquiry into Women’s Pain. This follows a ground-breaking survey unveiling the stark reality of dismissive attitudes and treatment faced by over a third of the women surveyed.
As a transformative and captivating exhibition, it embodies the silenced voices and overlooked experiences of those whose chronic health issues have been marginalised. Through its compelling narrative and symbolic resonance, I’m A Believer invites a deep reflection on the urgent need for empathy, understanding and change in addressing women’s health.
“I’m a Believer is an important and timely exhibition. Many of us have experience of or know someone who have had their chronic health issues dismissed,” said Vincent Alessi, CEO and Director, Linden New Art.
“This exhibition brings this to the fore, revealing the breadth of the issue and its often-gendered nature. It is a platform for people to share their experiences and know that they are not alone.”
Michelle Hamer has had a sustained practice with a focus on language which asks us to confront our fears, beliefs & aspirations. Since 2005 Hamer has been awarded grants from the Australia Council, Creative Victoria and City of Melbourne.
She is a past winner of the Australian Tapestry Workshop’s Architecture in Tapestry Prize (2015), and the Fisher’s Ghost Macability Prize (2022). Her works are in local, international, private, and institutional collections, including the National Gallery of Victoria, Artbank, Gippsland Art Gallery and Warrnambool Art Gallery.
Michelle Hamer: I’m A Believer
Linden New Art, 26 Acland Street, St Kilda
Exhibition continues to 25 August 2024
Free entry
For more information, visit: www.lindenarts.org for details.
Images: (left) Michelle Hamer, Untitled No. 52 – I’m A Believer, 2024, monotype on paper, 59.4 x 42cm, (centre) Michelle Hamer, Untitled No.1 – I’m A Believer, 2024, screenprint on paper, 59.4 x 42cm, (right) Michelle Hamer, Untitled No. 32 – I’m A Believer, 2024, monotype on paper, 59.4 x 42cm – photos by Christian Capurro