Charlotte Boundy

My practice derives from my personal experiences of living with a chronic health condition; endometriosis, an incurable condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the womb starts to grow in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Affecting 1 in 10 women, endometriosis has since been discovered in every organ of the body and while various surgical and pain management treatments have been developed, it has a significant impact on the lives of those suffering both first-hand and through other means.

Throughout an eight-year battle towards diagnosis, I was misdiagnosed with various other illnesses and conditions as a cause of my extreme abdominal pain, always being told by doctors that periods are supposed to be painful, with the word endo always being thrown around in conversation but never really considered because of my age at the time.

Very quickly, I realised how under-researched and discussed endometriosis is and during Endo Awareness Month in March 2021, I began creating self-portraits as a point of discussion about the condition. Using my practice as a form of art therapy, I began to reflect on my thoughts and feelings towards my condition, using painting as a method of locating and understanding how my pain felt and changed throughout my menstrual cycles.

Working with charities such as The Endometriosis Foundation as part of their launch and Endometriosis UK as part of their investigation into the psychological impact and benefits of therapy, my work began to attract the attention of other people suffering from the same and/or other reproductive conditions.

Other artworks exploring a similar subject matter had always taken a very graphic or anatomical approach and I decided I wanted to create work that was uplifting but accurate. Each of these women, myself included, lives in fluctuating pain every day but stands tall and tries their best to continue with day to day life, and with endo often being labelled an invisible destroyer, I wanted to find a way to highlight this trauma but celebrate this resilience.

Beyond University, I plan to continue my professional practice; beginning to work with more charities to use my artwork as a visual reference for events, as well as continuing to take commissions for those affected by endometriosis and other reproductive conditions.