Plastic Pony Chew. By Jennifer Caroline Campbell.

Plastic Pony Chew is one of the paintings I created in response to taking part in Sound and Vision, a project that partnered artists with people who have a diagnosis of schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease. I had open-ended conversations with service users in order to understand their experiences of hallucinations, and they were incredibly generous with their time and willingness to share. I was left with a much richer understanding of how extremely varied hallucination are, in both the forms they take and the effect they have on each individual. This particular painting was my response to a conversation with someone who has a diagnosis of schizophrenia and was dealing with persistent intrusive hallucinations. I tried to imagine how I would deal with the ongoing situation that this person was grappling with: being constantly undermined and questioned by an inner voice that feels separate, convincing and uncontrollable. I pictured the assuredness of adulthood falling away to reveal a vulnerable and slightly absurd version of myself.

My practice examines sensations, contradictions and ineffable qualities of human experience, particularly in relation to social constructs. I use painting, sculpture and installation to build a responsive visual language that expands my understanding, making room for new perspectives. I am particularly drawn to exploring positions that are less likely to be granted autonomy and legitimacy by prevailing systems of power.

Sound and Vision was developed by researchers in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge.

More about the project: soundandvision.org.uk

More about the artist: jennifercarolinecampbell.co.uk

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