‘An accident which changed everything’
A Leeside artist who suffered a life-changing accident five years ago is marking Pain Awareness Month by expanding upon her existing project dealing with chronic pain.
Next month, Ciara Chapman plans to present three new elements to her project ‘My Chronic Pain Diary’ which she began in 2016 after her accident.
The new elements of the project will take the form of an accessible art trail of her illustrations in shop windows throughout Cork city; an exhibition of her work at Cork Printmakers Gallery; and a new book of her artwork.
Ciara’s illustrations in her ‘My Chronic Pain Diary’ project are a direct response to her experience with chronic pain.
The project has been recognised by the Institute of Designers in Ireland, the World Illustration Awards in 2020 and the London International Creative Competition.
“I started this diary of illustrations in 2016, as the result of an accident which changed everything,” said Ciara.
She added: “The pain resulting from the accident was beginning to change me in the worst way, so I turned to art to save me. I clawed my way out of the darkness that had become my life and created ‘My Chronic Pain Diary’.”
Partly themed around Alice in Wonderland, the project tells the story of Ciara’s descent into darkness following her accident.
“Alice fell through the rabbit hole and so did I. I’m really proud of myself for creating light from so much prolonged pain. The truth that comes from my diary illustrations is what resonates with the viewer and I’m ready to share it with a wider audience,” said Ciara.
The art trail
During September, shop windows throughout Cork city will be home to an art trail of Ciara’s work. The windows will be decorated and filled with illustrations from ‘My Chronic Pain Diary’, embroidered artworks and origami characters with colourful fabrics and lighting, along with video pieces of short animations of some of the illustrations.
The exhibition
Cork Printmakers Gallery on Wandesford Quay will be home to an exhibition of digital prints of illustrations from the ‘My Chronic Pain Diary’ book, during the month of September, coinciding with the gallery’s 30th anniversary.
The art book
September will see the publication of an illustrated printed art book featuring 100 of the illustrations from Ciara’s project with an initial run of 100 copies. The book draws on Ciara’s skills of drawing and illustration, design, and working in print, and explores topics including Ciara’s medical experiences, the insights she’s gathered, her nightmares and her dreams.
Cork Printmakers Courtyard will host the launch of the entire project this coming Sunday from 11am-1pm.
The launch is supported by Cork Printmakers, Backwater Artists Group, and the Lavit Gallery through the Arts Council of Ireland's ‘In The Open – Faoin Spéir award: A curated programme of multi-disciplinary, inclusive arts activities in community outdoor spaces’ running from July 2021-April 2022.
For more information and to book tickets for the art trail tours, visit mychronicpaindiary.com.