Bathing by Monique Müge

Photograph

Artist statement: My name is Monique Müge and I am a MA illustration student, living with Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. Although I am an aspiring author/illustrator I have a strong background in photography and once upon a time even stood by the stage at gigs to capture magical moments of bands performing. This seems like a century ago and chronic illness was sure to make several big changes in my life that led me back down the road of study. Studying while having several chronic illnesses has never been easy, but neither has daily living in general.

Even in my university work I include strong tones of identity through my conditions, be this through my academic writing topic choice or the visual work I produce. Recently I have created a series of photos to highlight the struggles of daily living (juggling) while having several chronic conditions by relating all daily activities directly to ‘Spoon Theory’; a theory most people with chronic illnesses are aware of, but perhaps not those without. The theory was originally created by Christine Miserando and is now a daily practice amongst those who need help managing the little energy reserve they wake up with every day. This piece was designed not only to elaborate on how valuable our daily spoons are but to also emphasise on how hard it is to choose what we spend our spoons on. It is a highlighting of the complex life of a ‘Spoony’.

So, I challenge you to a question someone like me faces every day of her life:

If you woke up today with only 12 spoons, what would you spend yours on?

Bathing by Monique Müge

Photograph

Artist statement: My name is Monique Müge and I am a MA illustration student, living with Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. Although I am an aspiring author/illustrator I have a strong background in photography and once upon a time even stood by the stage at gigs to capture magical moments of bands performing. This seems like a century ago and chronic illness was sure to make several big changes in my life that led me back down the road of study. Studying while having several chronic illnesses has never been easy, but neither has daily living in general.

Even in my university work I include strong tones of identity through my conditions, be this through my academic writing topic choice or the visual work I produce. Recently I have created a series of photos to highlight the struggles of daily living (juggling) while having several chronic conditions by relating all daily activities directly to ‘Spoon Theory’; a theory most people with chronic illnesses are aware of, but perhaps not those without. The theory was originally created by Christine Miserando and is now a daily practice amongst those who need help managing the little energy reserve they wake up with every day. This piece was designed not only to elaborate on how valuable our daily spoons are but to also emphasise on how hard it is to choose what we spend our spoons on. It is a highlighting of the complex life of a ‘Spoony’.

So, I challenge you to a question someone like me faces every day of her life:

If you woke up today with only 12 spoons, what would you spend yours on?