How can I help you if I can’t help myself is a heavily textiles-based sculptural installation piece. The work uses upholstery fabric, typically used for sofa or curtain making, and reimagines its usual purpose for a body form with soft pillow-like flooring covering the surrounding areas. The installation resembles, and is inspired by, some of the stereotypical attributes of a bedroom. Two human-like bodies with androgynous features are situated in the centre of the room (rested against the back wall) with the walls and ceilings covered in soft, plush fabric, creating a safe and closed environment that stands alone in its own universe.

The bodies themselves lie holding each other on the floor, silently crying represented by glass and plastic bead embellishments that are hand-sewn onto each. The room aims to create a sense of human connection and healing, the bodies helping each other despite both being sad. They lie crying without ears or the ability to hear, as if they had ears they would listen to the advice people gave them and they wouldn’t be so sad. 

The room looks at how humans use those closest to them to heal and how losing those closest can affect someone’s life and their wellbeing. The bodies lie touching, fused in trauma bonds, scared to let go of each other for fear of being alone. How can I help you if I can’t help myself is a very personal and vulnerable piece of work, showcasing the last three years of my life and the letting go of a long-term and toxic relationship. Each body represents multiple people, both being me trying to help heal myself but also representing past relationships and that trauma bond and fear of letting go that I felt when trying to leave my long-term partner.

After finishing my degree, I plan on staying in Bournemouth and continuing to make art alongside applying for teacher training and looking for teaching assistant roles in the area.