Noëlle Patterson, 'Can you see ME now?' Needlepoint, 2022
Can you see ME now? by Noëlle Patterson
Needlepoint: tapestry wool, interlock cotton canvas, polyester flannel
Artist statement: Being asked ‘What do YOU need?’ as someone with ME is the most liberating feeling. I created this piece – a large scale replica of my Access Wristband for Glastonbury 2022 - in honour of the amazing team who make adjustments for, rather than assumptions about, people with visible and invisible disabilities. I was inspired by the sashes of the suffragettes. The reverse is made from a soft flannel blanket to express the sense of security it adds to the wearer’s sparkly festival outfit.
The piece aims to challenge the trope of ‘the hysterical woman’ - the ones branded lazy, delusional, attention seeking and accused of malingering. Those who when an invisible illness is finally diagnosed are expected to conform to a strict set of joyless behaviours. We want to be seen, heard, acknowledged, and respected for how spirit crushingly hard it is to keep showing up. We want enriching lives despite our limitations: to access the arts, to choose to use a fortnight’s worth of energy singing along with our favourite band. We want to take up our space regardless of what you deem appropriate, to be ‘disabled enough’ to access the adjustments we need. And for the ableist world to understand it could happen to them in a heartbeat.
Follow Noëlle on Instagram at @noelyp67
Noëlle Patterson, 'Can you see ME now?' Needlepoint, 2022
Can you see ME now? by Noëlle Patterson
Needlepoint: tapestry wool, interlock cotton canvas, polyester flannel
Artist statement: Being asked ‘What do YOU need?’ as someone with ME is the most liberating feeling. I created this piece – a large scale replica of my Access Wristband for Glastonbury 2022 - in honour of the amazing team who make adjustments for, rather than assumptions about, people with visible and invisible disabilities. I was inspired by the sashes of the suffragettes. The reverse is made from a soft flannel blanket to express the sense of security it adds to the wearer’s sparkly festival outfit.
The piece aims to challenge the trope of ‘the hysterical woman’ - the ones branded lazy, delusional, attention seeking and accused of malingering. Those who when an invisible illness is finally diagnosed are expected to conform to a strict set of joyless behaviours. We want to be seen, heard, acknowledged, and respected for how spirit crushingly hard it is to keep showing up. We want enriching lives despite our limitations: to access the arts, to choose to use a fortnight’s worth of energy singing along with our favourite band. We want to take up our space regardless of what you deem appropriate, to be ‘disabled enough’ to access the adjustments we need. And for the ableist world to understand it could happen to them in a heartbeat.
Follow Noëlle on Instagram at @noelyp67
