Endometriosis is a chronic but invisible condition that affects more than 10 per cent of people who menstruate globally. It occurs when tissue like the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus to form lesions, cysts, nodules and other growths. Although excruciatingly painful and tied to a range of health problems, much remains to be known about endometriosis, and there is no known cure.
Because of its invisibility, people living with endometriosis often feel isolated and alone. Through Blood Relations, Hosmer attempts to shed light on this chronic condition, destigmatizing menstruation and menstrual disorders through storytelling, collaboration and community building. The 13 community portraits feature people with endometriosis in Mi'kma'ki who agreed to share their experiences with Hosmer through interviews. The exhibition also includes 28 self-portraits and an experimental film, in which the artist consciously fragments her body to confront the feelings of bodily shame, grief and anxiety surrounding the disorder.
The photos and short film in this exhibition were developed using a homemade raspberry leaf developer because of its historical significance as a uterine medicine, and the number of photos in the exhibition are symbolically important representing the 13 lunar months with 28 days each. Through the exhibition, Hosmer seeks to untangle not just her and her mother’s relationship with endometriosis but also connect with the broader community of individuals silently navigating their own endometriosis journeys. The viewer is invited to consider the invisible ways that people experience their bodies – and break the cycle of shame.
