Inflamed and Untamed
Haya Mohammed
Not only was this certainly an extremely difficult time for Adam both physically and emotionally, but this period also had a significant impact on the lives of both my parents and I. We had to watch his suffering and feel helpless asking why a perfectly normal son, brother and student is now suddenly living with a chronic disease. It was no surprise if Adam would get irritated and sensitive with us as he was battling a personal war with himself, trying to accept what his new life has come to be. It was undoubtedly the most testing period of our lives.
My painting displays a young terrified individual looking away from the observer and hiding behind his own body, representing Adam. Surrounding him in a disorganised manner are numbers, letters, a variety of pills and cut out side effects from the information booklet of Adam’s medication. The pills signify the overwhelming vast amount of medication Adam has to suddenly consume daily, despite knowing the serious side effects highlighted by the cut outs. It is almost as if he is a prisoner of UC being restricted from living a free and normal life with the medication, side effects and emotional havoc the illness brings with it. The numbers and letters represent Adam’s passion and enthusiasm for mathematics and education which has been disrupted by his condition. The overall effect of the painting resembles Adam’s illness interfering with his normal life and his struggle to accept and face what the future may hold. Despite Adams strength which has shone through, I wanted to depict the unknown emotions he would have felt but no one necessarily knew of.
In conclusion, it can certainly be said that interviewing Adam and reflecting upon our journey as a family has left me enriched from the experience. My brother is an extraordinary brave young man who has the power and resilience to stand strong against a chronic illness that has changed the rest of his life.
For me, this creative assignment was also about sharing and revisiting Adam’s journey with my family, allowing us to reflect on the highs and lows we endured. It enabled me to analyse the key hurdles we overcame, even if it was not a smooth ride. Revisiting this story has highlighted how our resilience as a family has improved due to a strengthened familial external support network. Recounting these events has allowed me personally to further understand my brother’s emotional and physical rollercoaster of an experience. When I look back at the difficult recent years we faced, I sympathise deeply, but endlessly admire my parents and most importantly, my brother.
This piece is especially interesting due to its personal theme. The use of quotes from the patient’s information booklet elucidates how restrictive his condition is and is extremely creative. By incorporating Adam’s passions in the artwork the piece becomes quite emotive as it makes you feel connected to Adam and more empathetic towards the situation. On the whole, I have found this to be an intricate, inspiring and impassioned piece of work.
I find this peice very thought. provoking. The image of Adam in the middle is heart-wrenching and the use of the image of his medications, as well as their side effects, allows us to sympathise with what he must be going through. The body language of the young man emphasises how terrified he must be and makes this artwork emotive. In conclusion, I find this to be an extremely interesting and inspiring peice of art.
This piece depicts a 17 year old who is suffering with ulcerative colitis curled up and hiding behind his own body. Around him are words letters numbers and other illustrations that are meant to depicts all the challenges, problems and stresses he is facing. Both those that arise due to his condition but also all the other stresses that generally come with being 17 years old especially stresses around school. Paintings of pills and cut outs of symptoms and medical advice are scattered around him to act reperesent the thoughts and stresses he has surrounding his condition and are meant to symbolise his thoughts and responsibilities while actively managing his condition. The artist manages to convey his struggle to avoid his problems to no avail. Also the fact that he is naked conveys his vulnerability to both his symptoms and stresses which has led him to this state of respiration where it feels as though his problems have trapped him and they will never end.
I found this piece very emotive. It shows how personal medicine is for patients, their loved ones and medical students/ professionals (and sometimes a combination of those). I liked the use of multimedia as it contributed to the sense of being overwhelmed and consumed by an illness. It helps to identify with the sister who was looking onto this pain and feeling helpless over what to do.
I find this piece very moving. The complexities of emotions and personal challenges brought on by a diagnosis. The knock-on effects a diagnosis can have on a person’s life is hinted at with the use of Mathematical elements in the image. The image of Adam gives off a sense of raw vulnerability and the difficulties he has to endure alone. Overall, I found this to be interestingly multifaceted.
I think this piece is particularly touching due to the all the surrounding pills and maths symbols suffocating the centre which is Adam’s being. The fetal position shows Adam’s feeling of wanting to either avoid the pain or the information that he will have to live with this chronic illness. The small text boxes show how harmless the words describing the symptoms are , contrasting how much of an impact they have on his life.