Mx.D.P

The interesting part of an autoethnographic art practice is the minutiae of self-examination.

On Friday, I had a meeting with my prospective PhD supervisors. As always, it was a Wow moment. The stuff we talked about can’t help but affect my art practice; it is impossible for it not to.

Pain is an unwelcome companion to my life, and since January, it has increased exponentially. I have no real control over this, though I always try to exert that influence. Today, that had the most unexpected consequences. While colouring the Gender Disruptor, which was tricky because I didn’t have assistance, something extraordinary happened.

When I rinsed the colour off, I mistakenly set the shower too hot; it was a while before I realised I was burning my scalp! I am now used to so much pain, I ignored this new pain… Is that what’s happening to the geopolitical landscape… is humanity desensitised to suffering, carbon chaos and the inexorable march to war? Has negitive panic kicked in so hard we will just lay down and die for the heteronormative power structures that will tell you, don’t worry everything will be ok… or should we adjust the water temperature?