This is an installation centred around Breast Binders. I worked on it for around 18 months, on and off, so it’s nice to see it come to fruition.
Breast binder 1: pink, white, and blue sequins trace mastectomy scars on the outside. On the inside, the shape of breasts are traced in (my own) psychiatric medication.
Breast binder 2: This time on the outside, the scars are gashes of red embroidery thread, with more peripheral trans-coloured sequins. On the inside, the shape of breasts are created with packets of testosterone patches, whilst on the inside back, a kind of chain mail is created using the blister packs of (my own) psychiatric medication.
Breast binder 3: On the outside, the pink white and blue sequined mastectomy scars drip into blood-like red beads. On the inside are pictures of female body modification, such as corsets, food binding, and fgm, across time and cultures.
The binders are hung with joyless flaccid/non-inflated balloons in trans colours, and with bundles of beanbag breasts, nipples and areola made of sequins and psychiatric medication, dangling from hangman’s nooses.
Lastly, in the middle, is a giant breast beanbag, strangled with bandages and chains.
The whole thing is sordid and joyless, the sequins and balloons and supposed ‘euphoria’ a kind of visceral sick joke.
It has not been shown or installed in real life, so the ‘altogether’ shots are quick mock-ups to give a sense of how it might look installed (apologies, in those Binder 2 is inside out – I was tired!)
Breast Binding has significant health risks, as does phalloplasty.
