Framed by Anxiety
Suaad Walker
This piece was triggered by a text, written by John O’Donohue, introduced at one of the Art for Health sessions:-
‘If we could but realize the sureness around us, we would be very much more courageous in our lives. The frames of anxiety that keep us caged would dissolve. We would live the life we love and in that way, day by day, free our future from the weight of regret.’
Attendance at the Writing for Health sessions had already empowered me to write a poem about my father. Although I felt the need to ‘do’ something for my mother I couldn’t find the words or ideas until O’ Donohue’s text provided the phrase ‘Framed by Anxiety’. I initially hadn’t a clue how to put that into any kind of format. What followed was a serendipitous journey that unfolded in leaps and bounds, finding new materials, new ways of using old materials, sometimes experimenting, occasionally deconstructing unsuccessful experiments. Throughout the whole process, there was a constant thread of growing confidence due to the support from fellow attendees at the Art for Health sessions running in parallel with the development of the piece. Although I produced other pieces during these sessions they were often unrelated to the actual piece yet it benefited from techniques acquired or seen in use by others at the sessions. Attendance at the parallel Writing for Health course empowered me to write a short poem to include in the finished piece.
Suaad Walker
* This work will be exhibited in the Heartfelt exhibition at the Centrespace Gallery, Bristol 19 – 24th November
Facilitator’s comment:
When Suaad had completed this exquisite veiled hanging and shared its story with us, I was transfixed by her sensitive and metaphoric use of materials. As I recall, coming across a photograph of her mother, radiant in youth, was a key trigger to Suaad stitching the iridescent, backdrop of a piece of heavy, aging fabric which had been in the family for years. A drape of black chiffon mostly conceals her mother’s underlying sparkle, this fabric is drawn into a small medicine bottle to highlight the role of anti-depressant medication. Finally, the framing chain was released from a vintage handbag and provides a perfect visual devise to pull these complex elements together.
This speaks to me of loss and decay yet also of iridescence and stunning eternal beauty. It also reminds me of the different facets of the use of antidepressant medication. A brilliant piece – though I would find it too powerful to own and have at home or in my study.
I find Suaad’s creative piece to be strikingly beautiful, providing a profoundly nuanced commentary on themes of loss and depression. The subtlety of this piece is mesmerising, each time I explore it another dimension of meaning is shown. I found the most poignant aspect of this piece were Suaad’s use of the chain, which is interwoven between light and dark fabric, contrasting in heaviness and depth. The black veil encapsulates the dark and all-consuming nature of depression, this veil shrouds but does not entirely cover the bright material lying underneath, the two juxtapose one another and they coexist. The heaviness of the fabric underneath mirrors the significance of the topic this piece embodies, and the immense weight a person burdened with depression and grief carries. Simultaneously, the black, thin shroud represents the delicate nature of the mind and the relationships we make, and more personally to Suaad, represents her mother’s depression, which shrouded understanding and expressions of love. The chain runs through the juxtaposing fabrics, adding beauty and texture to the aesthetic of this piece, whilst also demonstrating, the intricate and intertwined nature of a mother and daughter, life and death, light and dark, and depression and joy. The frame of anxiety is beautifully presented here too – the black veil is being brought back, revealing the light fabric: removing the frame of anxiety presents the liberating light of truth and communication. Finally, Suaad’s commentary on the long journey to develop her piece homes in on the difficulty of specifically: articulating what she wanted to convey regarding her mother, and more broadly: the challenge dissolving the frames of anxiety.
I find Suaad’s creative piece to be strikingly beautiful, providing a profoundly nuanced commentary on themes of loss and depression. The subtlety of this piece is mesmerising, each time I explore it another dimension of meaning is shown. I found the most poignant aspect of this piece were Suaad’s use of the chain, which is interwoven between light and dark fabric, contrasting in heaviness and depth. The chain runs through the juxtaposing fabrics, adding beauty and texture to the aesthetic of this piece, I found this to also demonstrate, the intricate and intertwined nature of depression and Suaad and her mother’s relationship. Suaad’s commentary on the long journey to develop her piece homes in on the difficulty of specifically: articulating what she wanted to convey regarding her mother, and more broadly: the challenge dissolving the frames of anxiety.
I think this piece is beautiful with the strongly contrasting colours, different layers and fabrics. To me, the light coloured fabric represents all the beautiful things in our lives; there are many different textures, fabrics and patterns in this light section and I think that shows the wide range of different things that allow us to flourish and experience joy. The way the black fabric covers part of the light section demonstrates how feelings of anxiety can lead us to not see some of the wonderful things in our lives. However, the black fabric does not cover the entire piece so it appears the artist feels she is breaking past some of these feelings of anxiety and starting to see light and positivity. The use of the chain that flows through both the light and dark sections of this piece implies that we are not only trapped by feelings of anxiety but we will always also be capable of feeling positive emotions. Lastly, the black fabric will always exist as it is normal for humans to feel anxiety but because we are able to pull it across the chain like a curtain, we are able to reveal more of the light and colours and it is possible to put aside feelings of anxiety and live life to the fullest.