A public engagement art project engaging with the public to creatively explore the spectrum of experiences of adults living with eczema and to share these stories.
After two years on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in July we displayed the collective artwork Colouring Adult Eczema: Getting Under the Skin for the first time since our initial workshops with adults living with direct, or indirect experience, of eczema. The sculpture brings to life the diverse experiences of adult eczema and was displayed from 5-7 July 2022 at the British Association of Dermatologists 102nd Annual Meeting in Glasgow and at the Advanced Research Centre, University of Glasgow鈥檚 atrium, which was open to the local community from 7-20 July 2022.
The project brought together adults living with direct, or indirect experience, of eczema in a series of four workshops across the UK in 2019 to create discussion around the wider consequences of having eczema, and to better understand the impact of adult eczema on long-term health and social outcomes. Lead LSHTM researcher Professor Sin茅ad Langan was conscious about not just reaching adults living in London, choosing to hold the workshops in Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham. Through the project we also wanted to demonstrate the value public engagement can bring to research; therefore, in each workshop the project linked up with a host dermatologist in each city who was invited to take part in the workshop.
"This public engagement art project has transformed my understanding of what it is like to live with eczema, going beyond my awareness as a doctor or researcher. It has inspired me to further pursue research to address the challenges and improve outcomes for people living with eczema, working in partnership with people with lived experience."
Professor Sin茅ad Langan, LSHTM
Workshop participants covered a range of eczema experiences, from those who were living with eczema from childhood to those who developed eczema as an adult; the workshops also included participants with a connection to adult eczema as a friend, parent or partner, and participants with a professional connection to adult eczema as a consultant dermatologist and researcher.
Artists and developed the workshops, drawing on creative methods to build rapport between the groups and to enable participants to feel comfortable sharing, what were at times, deeply personal and emotional experiences to the complete opposite light-hearted reflection on which household item was the most effective at 鈥榮topping the itch鈥.
鈥淓ach box is a made by an individual and therefore reflects a different response to living with eczema. The patterns, the words and even the coloured lights bring out participants鈥 feelings below the surface, below the skin, emotions and realities they live with everyday. While not typically discussed in adults it is important to understand eczema is as one participant voiced 鈥渕ore than just an itch鈥.
Julia Vogl, Lead Artist, Colouring Adult Eczema
Participants got involved in printmaking, photography, coloured light, sound recordings and audio interviews to share their stories. Each box represents an individual person and captures their experiences (either direct or indirect) of adult eczema. Artists Peter and Julia designed bespoke boxes to create a LED lit stackable sculpture, which can be seen in multiple arrangements. Collectively the sculpture brings to life the diverse experiences of adults living with eczema, highlighting the wide-ranging socio-emotional effects of eczema and that no one experiences the condition in the same way.
For many participants the workshops were the first time they had been able to openly talk about the wider effects of adult eczema on their lives, mental health and wellbeing with other adults living with eczema. Conversations touched on top tips and tried and tested creams, leading one of the workshops to set up their own WhatsApp group following the session to continue supporting each other.
"It was a privilege to be able to participate in one of the workshops and hear from others with eczema, and those sharing their lives, of the huge but varied impact that the condition can have. Adult eczema is largely overlooked 鈥 for instance there are treatment guidelines for childhood eczema but none for adults."
Amanda Roberts, Public and Patient Representative
The first display at the British Association of Dermatologists 102nd Annual Meeting in Glasgow, 5-7 July 2022, sparked a range of discussion with dermatologists, clinicians, researchers, PhD students, industry professionals, patient support groups and adults living with eczema. It was moving to hear from other adults living with eczema that the sculpture and words selected by workshop participants also resonated with them. It was also encouraging to hear from other healthcare professionals who were able to appreciate from the sculpture the wide-ranging effects of adult eczema on relationships, lifestyle, mental health, wellbeing, and more.
Our second location was the Advanced Research Centre, University of Glasgow, where the sculpture was displayed in the atrium and open to the local community from 7-20 July 2022. On the opening night, artist Julia held an in-conversation discussion with Professor Langan, where they discussed the process leading to the sculpture and what they were taking away from the experience, with time for audience questions.
"Peoples鈥 experiences living with eczema do have some commonalities but also vary hugely. We felt by constructing the sculpture in this modular form means we respect our participants鈥 individual experiences, whilst also collectivising them. Each box is an unique portrait of a person鈥檚 condition; each participant lit their artwork exactly how they wanted at the time reflecting on their creations, and we have frozen those moments in time."
"Adult eczema is a very misunderstood condition and often not taken as seriously as it should be, so we were keen to create a big impact with the sculpture and shine a light on what it can be like to live with eczema."
Peter Hudson, Lead Artist, Colouring Adult Eczema
The sculpture is currently on display at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, Monday to Friday from 8:00 鈥 18:30 in the Dermatology Department, Ground Floor, Bermondsey Wing, Atrium 3, Great Maze Road, London, SE1 9RT. Visit the team's public engagement webpage for updates.
We are very grateful to the generosity of the workshop participants to sharing their experiences through the workshops and the works of art. Visit the Colouring Adult Eczema webpage or on Instagram to hear their voices, read some of their views, and see their works in more depth.
Colouring Adult Eczema: getting under the skin is a public engagement art project commissioned by Professor Sin茅ad Langan at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, supported by the Wellcome Trust. Created and produced by artists Peter Hudson and Julia Vogl from nationwide workshops with 30 adults living with eczema in the summer of 2019.
Professor Maria Fusco鈥檚 play ECZEMA! (2018) was updated with input from a creative writing workshop in London led by Maria as part of Professor Langan鈥檚 Wellcome Trust funded public engagement project. Find out more and read the blog posts on the updated performances held on 4-5 June 2019 at the South London Gallery.