Gumbowie House

The house represents western society's traditional ideals; a home, a white picket fence, a family, and reflects aspirations of living in a supportive community. However, within this quaint facade lies a deeper message. The tissue box within the house symbolises the hidden struggles individuals face living with MS, illustrating how beneath the seemingly ‘normal’ surface, there are always underlying effects that can change your life at any moment. As anyone living with MS can agree, everyday is different and no two days are the same.

The ceramic, while sturdy, can crack and break, represents the fragility of health and how new lesions can appear at any moment. Despite the picturesque exterior, the tissue box serves as a reminder of the unseen challenges faced by those living with MS. Tissues are often offered when people are crying to express a range of emotions - they can be tears of sadness, joy, pain or frustration. Their materiality is also soft and comforting, when holding it in one's hand. This symbolises the support we get through not only our inter personal relationships, but from objects or possessions within our environment.

Through this piece, I aim to shed light on the importance of providing empathy and support within our communities for individuals battling invisible illnesses.