In 1997 Psychotherapist and author of the book 'Trauma and Recovery' Judith Herman described Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) as nothing but a "sophisticated insult" from psychiatry towards people who have experienced trauma. Almost 30 years later despite decades of survivor led activism and countless research papers showing that a diagnosis of personality disorder results in stigma, discrimination and poor treatment, the diagnosis is still hotly debated by psychiatry but with no real systemic change.
Sophisticated Insult is an exhibition which centres the experiences of people who have been given a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder either as a current or past diagnosis, who reject the personality disorder construct.
While we recognise some people may find a BPD diagnosis helpful, there are many of us who have been harmed by the diagnosis. Our exhibition is a creative space to explore and celebrate survival, inner fires, love, rage, solidarity and defiance against the pathologisation of trauma. We are not anti-diagnosis but believe people should not be labelled with diagnoses that don’t fit their experience, are not helpful or cause harm, which a personality disorder diagnosis often does.
Throughout the exhibition we’ll be running workshops and events including a discussion space followed by a paper making workshop. Come and shred your psych notes up with us. Alchemise them into wild blooming seed/ paper bookmarks. We are also running seed bomb making, fabric/ textile/ patch making, zine making and collage workshops during the exhibition. See https://twitter.com/home for more info.
Artists: Nicole Lacey, Rachel Rowan Olive, Nell Hardy, Bekah Harris, Emma Rose, G, Robyn Timoclea, B.Lain and Bekki.
Opening night: Tuesday 18th July 6-8pm. All welcome.
Opening times
Wednesday 19th July – 11am – 4pm
Thursday 20th July – 2.30 – 8pm
Friday 21tst, Saturday 22nd, Sunday 23rd, Monday 24th and Tuesday 25th – 12 - 6pm
Wednesday 26th July – 11am – 4pm
Thursday 27th July – 2.30pm – 8pm
Friday 28th and Saturday 29th July – 12 – 6pm.