16 x Self-Portrait diary entries as evidence base.

DYSTROPIUM is a term of the artist’s invention - a portmanteau of dystopia, dysphoria, delirium, trope, distraction, destruction and even hope.

Diary pieces were produced as evidence to embodied emotions in response to television, podcast, blog and news reports concerning US politics during the historical 4 month period from US Inauguration Day 20 January, through 20 May, 2025.

Using assemblage, collage, found objects and materials, the artist undertakes an accounting of ephemeral data, as record keeping of emotional responses. 

Each diary entry depicts forms of frustration, impotence, internalisation or unexpressed rage born from habits of polite dissent and self-repression. Titles relate to embodied emotions experienced and observed. Each ‘entry’ is ‘drawn’ with objects, textiles and materials to hand in direct response to specific issues or events taking place during this period. 

This iteration of the work explores a social legacy of self-restraint, self-control and euphemistic decoration that demanded decorum and mastery of the art of polite dissent. It considers the costs versus the value of an inheritance of ‘respectability politics’. Masking emotions designed to keep ‘unpleasantness’ at bay.

The Diaries form part of an installation-in-development for a walkthrough DYSTROPIUM, where visitors will be able to playfully confront their own feelings of disempowerment and use objects to express what they feel.

New forms of knowledge and research

Looking to the role of art in society as a connector and resource, the artist seeks to build on previous research to validate new forms of data gathering and analysis, and to lend rigour to non-traditional forms of information.

Using emotion as a stream of information, the compositions aim to bring together ancient ways of knowing, with modern methods of scoping, collecting and articulating data.