DSO102 - Live Beyond artwork

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'Live Beyond'

This artwork was done for my final assessment in Design Studio 1 class.

In this subject, I examined the relationship between materials and storytelling. By applying construction skills, I was able to demonstrate creativity and develop a concept/story into a completed sculpture/artwork.

In choosing a story, I was able to conceptualise something that was meaningful to me which I wanted to share and that is living with Type 1 Diabetes. For us living with T1D, we need insulin to live, so we’ll need to take it every day by injecting it or using an insulin pump. We also check our blood sugar levels throughout the day to make sure that we’re staying in the target range as much as possible.

The materials I chose to work with for this project are a canvas board, sewing threads and my own blood (no worries, I'm completely fine and wasn't hurt in the process). I was able to relate the concept of the needles poking into a surface multiple times with the daily injections a Type 1 Diabetic endures every day. Furthermore, the thread symbolises the insulin doses that are injected into the body which is what keeps a diabetic alive and functioning. As a person living with Type 1 Diabetes, I don’t want to be solely defined as someone who is immuno-compromised. I wanted to switch the focus of the story of feeling ‘ill’ to ‘healing and living beyond’.

The final concept of the artwork showcases a hand holding an insulin pen. In order to incorporate the positivity and healing concept, I decided to add flowers in the background to show that even though there are invisible pains, there is still something beautiful beyond what is seen.

Another key feature of this piece is the colour of the flowers which is actually painted with my own blood. It made the piece more meaningful. I was surprised to see how beautiful the colour of my blood is. The symbols on the insulin pen which means ‘I am greater than my highs and lows’.

The final artwork aims to provide a unique sensory and emotional experience to the viewer. Living as a Type 1 Diabetic helped me to uncover new layers of creative potential that I never knew existed which is something I believe other people, not only those living with Type 1 Diabetes, have with them.