Broken
Broken was commissioned by the Royal British Legion. I am Creative Director for The Art of Recovery, a sculpture project for military veterans and their families, during which participants develop life sized sculptures to explore their experience of injury.
Broken is my response to their experiences. Ten faceless uniformed figures, each one third life-size, support each other on a circular rotating board. Each figure has a diagnostic label. Some are pragmatic; Shell Shock and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, some close to slanderous; Lack of Moral Fibre, and some; Old Sergeant Syndrome and Soldiers Heart seem emotional. All the labels refer to attempts over the centuries to categorise and contain mental health issues developed as a result of combat.
Broken refers to the cyclical nature of posttraumatic stress disorder, and to its historical precedents. It suggests the loss of self experienced by sufferers, but also the trust and support that participants were able to offer each other.
Broken is my response to their experiences. Ten faceless uniformed figures, each one third life-size, support each other on a circular rotating board. Each figure has a diagnostic label. Some are pragmatic; Shell Shock and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, some close to slanderous; Lack of Moral Fibre, and some; Old Sergeant Syndrome and Soldiers Heart seem emotional. All the labels refer to attempts over the centuries to categorise and contain mental health issues developed as a result of combat.
Broken refers to the cyclical nature of posttraumatic stress disorder, and to its historical precedents. It suggests the loss of self experienced by sufferers, but also the trust and support that participants were able to offer each other.
