Exhibition Statement 
Dismissed

Many women experience sexism when looking to get an accurate and attentive medical diagnosis. This discrimation exists because of general stereotypes about women  and a remaining lack of knowledge on femine health. Dismissed explores the difficulties that women face when visiting medical practices by simulating the frustration, isolation, and confusion that is felt when doing so. The focal point of the piece is a biomorphic archway that is blanketed by monotyped fabric, abstracted to appear like sickly flesh.The piece is experienced by sitting inside the archway while listening to interviews from women who have seen or experienced sexism and inadequate medical care in a doctor’s office or hospital. A long cut of fabric drapes out onto the ground from inside the archway, and has the words of the interviewed women transcribed on it.  Placed on the floor, at the foot of the viewer, are screen prints of antiquated medical drawings which represent the outdated knowledge and views of feminine health. The screen prints also represent how these views perpetuate sexism in the healthcare system with how they lay over the transcribed interviews. The audio and prints combined create a contradiction that further shows how women’s symptoms are often dismissed and minimized, decreasing their quality of life and even leading to needless death. The emphasis of this contradiction aids in emulating the confusion and isolation felt by these women, allowing the audience to experience these emotions firsthand, showing them the reality of the situation.

kat816