Chronic

All of us face conditions that hinder the creation and display of our best selves. Susan Allred deals with chronic arthritis pain, but others may have a different physical or mental health ailment. Maybe your chronic condition is a thorny relationship that will never improve or an unsatisfying career. The quilt of our universal experiences is pieced from an infinite variety of conditions, each as unique as the person who lives with it.

Whatever the specific symptoms, each of us adapts in attempt to counteract those chronic conditions and lessen their impact on our lives. Sometimes our adaptations are beautiful, enveloping the condition to transform it and us. Other modifications are not effective—worse, they can become a horror show that damages our selves and our loved ones. Occasionally, it's hard for outsiders to tell the difference between the beautiful and the grotesque.

When Allred works in her studio, it takes her mind off her chronic pain. But it's a delicate dance. Many of the techniques she's become known for and that make her work recognizable can exacerbate the inflammation in her hands and wrists, so she must carefully plan certain processes when her pain is light. It's also prompted her to look to new processes and techniques that cause less pain but are still recognizable as her work and can communicate the themes she explores. 

The soft and pliable nature of the fibers Allred uses creates a physical representation of the vulnerabilities and resilience of those living with chronic conditions. Through the use of form and technique, her new series illustrates the emotional and physical impact of these conditions, while also showing the resilience and strength of people who live with them.

Photos by Summer Raine Young