Trauma

How the artwork will be displayed.

My forthcoming artwork, “Manifestation (Ad Astra Per Aspera)”, aims to address the complexity and psychological / physiological impact of trauma, it highlights how it can be triggered by everyday sensory stimuli, the unconscious apprehension and the perpetual nature of its immediacy that is without warning.

When we think of the word ‘trauma’ it generally conjures up post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD develops after a particularly distressing or stressful event that causes significant psychological and physiological symptoms. These symptoms can be triggered by a plethora of typically mundane occurrences, such as: noises, smells, places and words. Other triggering psychological responses can be activated by intrusive thoughts, nightmares, isolation, feelings of detachment and disassociation. The physiological effects are often as unsettling and can manifest in numerous ways, such as insomnia, headaches, palpitations, being easily startled and generalised anxiety. It should be noted that the above represent the core symptoms and manifestations of PTSD, other physical and psychological reactions can be surreptitious due to the sufferers’ feelings of shame and the palpable apprehension at revealing the traumatic ordeal. Despite widespread discussion of mental health conditions, the stigma attached to sufferers often remains.

“There is a shock that comes so quickly and strikes so deep that the blow is internalized even before then skin feels it. The strike must first reach bone marrow, then ascend slowly to the brain where the slowpoke intellect records the deed.”― Maya Angelou 

Trauma can be attributed to a single event, such as witnessing a murder, combative violence (including terrorism), physical or sexual assault and grief. Experiencing or being exposed to repeated traumatic events, such as domestic violence, existing in war zones (and the subsequent witnessing of atrocities), or childhood abuse can be more impactful and harder to treat due to the complexities involved. Thus, the unremitting and more insidious consequence of constant or chronic trauma can potentiate the condition known as, Complex PTSD (CPTSD) or Continuous Traumatic Stress Disorder (CTSD). CPTSD can precipitate and disrupt development (specifically because of childhood neglect / abuse), affect attachment, and cause various mental and physical health issues. Similarly to PTSD, CPTSD may also include feelings of worthlessness, difficulty controlling emotions, and resultant relationship difficulties. 

However, despite the intricacy of traumatic experiences it can be treated successfully through therapeutic interventions, and if necessary, medication. What is troubling however, is that sufferers are often reluctant to seek assistance and therefore carry the burden of their experience’s ad infinitum. Ultimately, the feeling of compunction can lead to drug or alcohol addiction, of being prone to homelessness, sexual exploitation, suicidal ideation or being incarcerated by committing criminal offences.

My artwork will utilise a flip board (reminiscent of airports and train stations, implying imminence, but also impermanence) and its cacophonic clicking (which will be amplified to heighten the respective response to the display) represents the immediacy of trauma, and that it can be actuated literally in any form. The word trauma will be displayed on the board at random intervals, again suggesting a suddenness of triggering thoughts, bodily sensations and disorientation. Rather than (intentional) triggering or downplaying trauma, the installation aims to prompt self-reflection on individual reactions to the word and concept of trauma in a gallery setting.​

Manifestations intention is to illuminate the suffering caused, and drawing from the Latin phrase “Ad Astra per Aspera” (to the stars through difficulty), the work suggests that confronting and understanding trauma can lead to growth and greater insight.​

The artwork titled "Manifestation (Ad Astra per Aspera)" outlines an art installation that seeks to explore and provoke reflection on trauma and its unpredictable nature.