Pieces of myself is a sculptural artwork presented on a table top. It is a collection of 6 felted objects, each one inside its own glass display. The felted objects are life size, anatomically correct representations of various parts of my body, needle felted by hand from soft, fine, cream coloured, Marino wool fibre. The objects are self-portraits, my skull is felted with the exact high narrow palate that I have inside my mouth due to my medical condition, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. It is presented inside a spherical glass dome, and being soft felt only as thin as my actual bones and teeth, it is squashed into the sphere so that some elements are distorted against the glass, symbolic of flexibility and adaptation. A large glass cannister with a wooden lid displays my felted jaw bone, the felted teeth clearly show my dental crowding, also associated with my Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Being a connective tissue disorder, EDS also causes my body parts to sub lax and dislocate, my jaw bone slips away when I eat and sleep, in this art work the jaw bone sits alone in a space that feels a little bit too large. A small bell jar displays a single felted life size vertebrae, this represents scoliosis and osteopenia, pain, fatigue, and mobility, and silent determination, I have back bone. A taller bell jar holds my felted heart. The ventricles and valves inside my felted heart are anatomically correct, the human heart is made of significant amounts of connective tissue. People with EDS are prone to aortic root dilation, mitral valve prolapse, and cardiac vascular issues. My heart feels vulnerable, brave, and full of empathy. Under a broad bell jar sits 2 sets of my toes, 1 set is upside down. The soft felt undermines pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis. It represents hidden loneliness, sensitivity, and functionality taken for granted. The last bell jar contains a life size representation of my left hand, mildly disfigured with my rheumatoid arthritis. My disabilities and abilities are held by my hands as stabby places of autoimmune pain and dysfunction, and as my tools for creation. In this self portrait my hand is holding the steel-barbed felting needle used to create all of these works. Felting takes a long time, as does accessing appropriate healthcare, particularly for rare or invisible illnesses. The slow, gradual accumulation of pieces in this collection reflects my slowly growing familiarity with my body, thanks to medical science and care. I have many other conditions and diagnoses’ to represent here, and to continue to manage in time. Understanding and acceptance happens both personally and in community, so being able to share this collection in the context of this exhibition is an expression of my experience of disability pride.
Pieces of Myself by Lisa Rime (Merino wool, glass, wood, a steel needle-felting needle)

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About the artwork

Listen to the artist statement for Pieces of Myself

This artwork is part of a growing collection of self-portraits, reflecting the complex relationship my body plays in relation to my sense of self. Each piece is an anatomically accurate representation of my own body, depicting or representing specific variances (for example in my skull shape and teeth) that exist as a result of my conditions.
They are needle-felted in soft fibres as a reference to my connective tissue disease Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which causes hypermobility and laxity in the joints, skin, organs and other tissues of the body. My conditions are mostly ‘invisible illnesses’ but there are subtle signs, on closer inspection, and when one knows what to look for.
Living with chronic illness can diminish our abilities and steal our identities. They can make us feel introspective, objectified, prodded.
This self-portrait series is a soft thank you to my body. In spite of chronic pain and disability, with little stabs I gently reclaim pieces of myself.

A headshot of Lisa smiling
Lisa Rime

About the artist - Lisa Rime

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I am a Hobart based multi-media visual and performing artist practiced in life drawing, drawing, painting, sculpture, design and making of everyday objects like clothing, commercial and digital illustration, singing in choirs and playing in bands.

My love of technical processes is complicated by living life with multiple chronic illnesses, which between them impact almost all systems of my body.

I have a passion for grassroots community care with an interest in disability justice and disability pride. My creative projects move between my community connections and internal world.

Read more about the Living My Best Life Art Exhibition