Joanne Tiffany
Joanne Tiffany is a multidisciplinary artist living in Wakefield, currently studying Fine Art at Leeds Beckett University, while also being an ambassador to the charity ‘Outside In’ and ‘In Transit’. Tiffany explores the social contract, focusing on issues around disability, chronic illness, power, and barriers. Through all her work, she passionately advocates for equality, inclusivity and access whilst using her own personal lived experience.
Idle Hands
Idle Hands, derived from the quote ‘The Devil makes work for Idle Hands’, highlights the disparity between Moral Therapy’s ideals and beliefs and its use in treatment practices at the West Riding Pauper Lunatic Asylum. Based on research conducted into the Mental Health Museum Wakefield’s collection, this artwork builds on themes established in Blood, Sweat, and Tears concerning occupations within the Asylum and its connection to modern occupational therapy.
The artwork utilizes crochet, knitting, sewing, and weaving, designed to highlight some of the occupations undertaken by patients. The work is presented as a blanket showcasing some of the item’s patients created but were not allowed to use, questioning the morality of moral therapy.
The photographs of the cup of tea and the glass of beer represent some of the luxuries given to entice patients to participate in their ascribed occupations, which raises questions over whether patients had creative freedom or were creatively controlled, and discussions around free labour. The continual monitoring of patients by attendants and doctors as the ‘Medical Gaze’ is symbolised by the embroidered eyes within the piece. The surnames of patients and a self-portrait have been discreetly stitched into the blanket representative of personal stories being invisible.
Image Description:
Exhibition photograph of ‘Idle Hands’ a mixed-media textile blanket made up of white cotton, embroidery thread, two calico cyanotyped squares. The blanket is displayed on a vintage brown leather armchair, draped over its arm rest and coming to rest onto the cushion of the chair. Displayed at a three-quarter angle placed on a medium grey floor, with other artworks behind it on a white wall.
Audio Description:
Organisations:
Mental Health Museum:
The Mental Health Museum is home to an extraordinary collection of objects and stories that explore mental health care history and the experience of mental health conditions. It was first opened in 1974 and displayed objects from the West Riding Asylums at Wakefield, Huddersfield, Leeds and Sheffield. We continue to add to these collections today. The museum is a space for broader debates around mental health care and aims to promote wellbeing, combat mental health stigma, and be active in social justice. We invite everyone to get involved in creating this space.
The Mental Health Museum is free to visit and open to everyone on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 1-4pm. Find us at Fieldhead Hospital, Wakefield, WF1 3SP. You can get in touch with staff by calling 01924 316360 or email us at museum@swyt.nhs.uk.
In Transit:
In Transit is a non-profit contemporary arts platform committed to artistic exchange and increasing access to the arts. They support artists and creatives to make their work more accessible to disabled audiences. They run online residencies, exhibitions and courses on arts access. They create opportunities for artists to experiment with new ideas, reflect on what they do, and develop accessible, thought-provoking work and research.
Outside In:
Outside In provides a platform for artists who encounter significant barriers to the art world due to health, disability, social circumstance, or isolation. Outside In provides a digital platform for artists to show their work and three programmes of activity: artist development, exhibitions, and training. Outside In aims to create a fairer art world by supporting artists, creating opportunities, and influencing arts organisations.
External Links:
Joanne’s Website: https://www.joannetiffany.com
Joanne’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanne_tiffany_art/
Mental Health Museum Website: https://www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk/mental-health-museum/home/
In Transit Website: https://intransit.space
Outside In Website: https://outsidein.org.uk