Hysterical Legacies is a collaborative visual arts project and exhibition, and a response to the ongoing impact of historically sexist narratives, past stereotypes and notions of ‘hysterical women’, on women and non-binary people’s present day experiences of health. Featuring artworks by chronically ill, disabled and neurodivergent women, femme and non-binary people, the exhibition uncovers the collective hidden stories of so many in our community.
We are currently amid a changing landscape surrounding women’s health, with progress acknowledging women’s pain, yet ongoing global threats to bodily freedom. This exhibition draws connections between social attitudes, medical practices and perceptions of women’s illness – underpinned by prioritising lived experience perspectives.
Curated by Amelia Saward, Hysterical Legacies is supported by the City of Melbourne Arts Grants.
Image credits: Hysterical Legacies banner; Delpine Byrne, T21 Self-Portrait and Life-Death-Life, oil painting; Galatea.x, Period Pains #3, Collage; Tess Hider, Your blood test looks great, Soft Sculpture; Dana Kabaila, Gabija; Nicole Robertson, Female Dog I & II, Linocut.
