In “Fifteen Spoons To Live With” i’m looking into the invisible experience of chronic illness. In the Netherlands, it has been found that one out of four young adults encounter challenges with invisible chronic illness. At first glance, they may appear healthy, but beneath the surface they bear the weight of debilitating physical afflictions that remain hidden from the prying eyes of outsiders. As a consequence, they frequently encounter a lack of understanding from their environment, be it at work, school, or in social interactions, which can engender feelings of estrangement and solitude within their realm of pain experience. This is evident in situations such as public transport, where they often find themselves occupying a seat designated for the disabled, while experiencing a sense of not belonging. This subject deeply resonates with me as I, too, live with a chronic invisible illness.
For this project, I collaborated with several young adults aged between 20 and 28. They have been diagnosed with various invisible illnesses such as scoliosis, whiplash, graves' disease, and juvenile arthritis. Through photographic sequences, I allow the viewer to focus on the physical limitations of this group. If the viewer looks closely, they can see these limitations in the movements of these young individuals. Thus, I use photography to make an invisible experience of pain visible.
By sharing the narratives of this group, I aim to cultivate empathy and promote a more compassionate and inclusive society, where the experiences of these young adults are acknowledged and embraced.
@Lisakraaijeveld
