Upstairs

7 April – 18 April

'ORALCON' - Emma Bennett

Emma Bennett, an emerging multidisciplinary artist originally from Central Hawke’s Bay, has recently attained her Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours (with Distinction) through Massey University.

"My contemporary art practice explores the complexities of living with endometriosis and its impact on my sense of womanhood. Through works that examine themes of bodily autonomy, chronic illness, and the intimate relationship between the body and object, this exhibiton aims to create space for conversations around invisible conditions and personal resilience.

Oralcon is an evolving body of work that explores the complex terrain of hormonal contraceptives, focusing particularly on the pill. 

The work engages with themes of repetition and rituals of a daily task, artificiality, time, numbers and the unseen transformations that occur within the body and mind through daily pharmaceutical intervention.

Starting conversations around the construction of identity, the regulation of time, and the quiet remapping of self. Central to the project is the question: Who might I have become had I never taken the pill?

Through a multidisciplinary approach, the work seeks to make visible what is typically internalized, exploring the tension between autonomy, control, and the intimate mechanics of the medicated body.

While the show's themes may initially appear niche, they ultimately prompt viewers to reflect on structures in their own lives. Even in the absence of a direct connection to contraceptives, the exploration of daily rituals and routines invites broader contemplation of identity and the ways in which such practices shape our sense of self."

"Projects such as 'The Pain That Stains My Bed Sheets' delves into the physical and emotional toll of chronic illness. My work has been exhibited in group shows including The Delicate and Visceral and Disclosure in Wellington, and I recently closed my first solo exhibition, The Art of Human Connection, in Central Hawke’s Bay.

In addition to my studies and art-making, I am an active member of the CHB Art Network, where I serve as a youth voice. I am passionate about increasing access to the arts for young creatives and advocating for a stronger presence of art within our local community." - Emma Bennett