A Hard Act To Swallow, 2017


A Hard Act to Swallow focuses on the media attention given to celebrities with eating disorders. This hand-stitched piece displays forenames of famous people inside pharmaceutical tablets. Whilst the viewer can identify some of the represented celebrities, many names could possibly refer to themselves or others. The names which stand alone are those of prominent people who have died from their illness. The deeper subtext of this seemingly simple piece corresponds with the complexity of these devastating disorders.


A Hard Act To Swallow

A Hard Act To Swallow

Photo credit: Yeshen Venema

Photo credit: Yeshen Venema


Measurement: 40cm x 32cm (framed)

Process: Hand stitch

Materials: Textile, silk threads


Exhibited in:

13th International London Eating Disorder Conference, University College London (2017)

Desperate Artwives, Feminism in London Conference, University of London (2017)

What’s Going On Upstairs, The Knitting & Stitching Show, Alexandra Palace, London (2018)

What’s Going On Upstairs, The Knitting & Stitching Show, The RDS, Simmonscourt, Dublin (2018)

What’s Going On Upstairs, The Knitting & Stitching Show, Convention Centre, Harrogate (2018)