GALLERY IMAGES Taken by Fiona Quadri and Frannie Wise
Hysterical, the group art show centring the work of women and marginalised genders using their creative practice as a form of protest, is back! Co-curated by Bee Illustrates and Eliza Hatch, the charity exhibition is curated through an intersectional feminist lens to represent a broad range of topics from a varied selection of artists, whose work centres on exploring issues such as gender, race, identity, politics, climate change, feminism and more. Hysterical continues to offer audiences a new and alternative way of engaging with art while emphasising that art can be fun and joyful, yet still tackle serious issues.
Back for its second instalment, this year sees the duo bring Hysterical to a two-week residency at the Bermondsey Project Space, hosting a range of diverse artists and a series of creative workshops including the return of Grrrl Zine Fair‘s feminist zine-making workshop, and a life drawing class the following day by Body Love Sketch Club.
To celebrate the exhibition’s final day, Hysterical will host a panel on Saturday 25th March at 4pm featuring model and Instagram policy advocate Nyome Nicholas Williams, author of ‘Queer Body Power’ artist, and changemaker Essie Dennis, disabled model and content creator Lucy Dawson, and will be hosted by Bee.
Below, BRICKS meets some of the artists exhibiting to learn about their inspiring artworks and hear what makes them feel hysterical.
Maggie Williams
Maggie Williams is a British-Chinese artist living and working in London. Williams’ practice has recently returned to themes surrounding cultural identity and the effects of second-generation diaspora. She explores the fractured, contradictory experience of belonging using a wide array of media – from playfully reappropriating found objects to challenging the confines of more traditional techniques such as embroidery. This process-based work attempts to make the liminal space between the two cultures intelligible.
How did you first hear about and get involved with the Hysterical exhibition?
I first learned about Hysterical from Cheer Up Luv & Bee Illustrates via Instagram. I followed the journey of this incredible duo as they teamed up with inspiring creatives and made waves with their successful debut. When I saw the call for the second instalment, I couldn’t say no.
In what ways does your art practice relate to the Hysterical exhibition ethos?
For me, Hysterical is all about reclaiming narrative, body and space.
As a British-Chinese women, my work explores the feeling of otherness, and reclaims phrases that are used in everyday conversation as a form of exoticism. “Compliments” are turned back in on themselves using embroidery, an art practice that was (and still is) historically regarded as decorative ‘women’s work’.
The superficial words are woven and immortalised onto rice bags, a material synonymous with Asian cuisine. The word and label, ‘Asian’, is a frustrating can of worms in itself!
What are you most excited to be a part of or to attend during the Hysterical exhibition and events programme?
The most exciting part for me is meeting the other artists and being able to use our voices collectively. In such …turbulent times, I think the need to connect and build a strong community is more important than ever – to support each other and be a part of the greater good.
What makes you feel hysterical?
The rhetoric “not all men” makes me feel hysterical.
Simone Yasmin
Simone Yasmin is a Black writer and spoken word artist born and based in Leeds. Both her written and vocal work raises awareness for issues many choose to ignore in order to sit in comfort. Simone is an arti-vist and the intersection of race and feminism is often central to Simone’s work. Her own experiences navigating the world – a white, male world – as a Black woman, largely act as a catalyst for this.
How did you first hear about and get involved with the Hysterical exhibition?
I’ve followed Bee and Eliza for a while now and I’m continuously inspired by the work they create. They are the literal definition of a pair absolutely doing the work. I watched the birth of Hysterical last year and so desperately wanted to be part of it. It was and is so special, but I’d wrongly convinced myself that no one wanted to see poetry exhibited. “All I have are my words” I kept saying to myself. This year, I took the plunge. I sent in a piece I’d made for a previous project – a 1.5m x 2m unstretched canvas piece – something which wasn’t “just” my words. Though Bee and Eliza loved the piece, the space wasn’t large enough to accommodate this alongside the other work. The solution? To handwrite my poetry, my words, on the walls. I think so often as a writer, it’s easy to compare yourself to visual artists and question what you have to “show”. Thank you to Bee and Eliza for reminding me that my words hold weight.
In what ways does your art practice relate to the Hysterical exhibition ethos?
Hysterical is “an exhibition celebrating subversive art”. When I look at my writing, whether poetry and prose, it is always subversive, always intersectional and always intentional. It leans into my frustrations of the world. For me, if my artwork isn’t being disruptive, then it isn’t serving its purpose. I call myself an ‘artivist’, because I use art to have difficult conversations. The artwork doesn’t make the conversations any less comfortable, as there’s no ‘nice’ way to dance around these issues, but it definitely makes it more accessible and invites more people into these conversations with us.
What are you most excited to be a part of or to attend during the Hysterical exhibition and events programme?
I’ve been so excited to meet all of the other artists and to hear about their work first-hand. We’d not seen or heard about each other’s artwork, and so walking into the space and seeing such entirely separately imagined pieces come together in some kind of beautiful symphony was surreal. Every single piece in that room is so powerful, and I don’t think there’s anything more exciting about taking up space that we have had to fight for.
What makes you feel hysterical?
The world around me really makes me feel hysterical! We’re navigating a white, male, middle-class world which does not serve the majority of people it holds. That will always be my catalyst. There are so many double standards when it comes to the treatment of the most privileged and the most marginalised, and I will always draw those parallel lines.
Aashfaria A. Anwar
Aashfaria A. Anwar is a British- Bangladeshi photographer, and runs a small business, Studio Aash. Her work centres and celebrates people of colour and other marginalised groups by exploring themes such as heritage, love and community. With rich colours and a bold, expressive tone, she sensitively tells the intimate stories of her subjects. Aashfaria conveys uplifting and heart-warming moments in her art – in a world full of challenges and injustice, her pieces embody love, joy and resistance. Through her work, she hopes to empower others to celebrate their own cultures and identities.
How did you first hear about and get involved with the Hysterical exhibition?
I had been following both Bee and Eliza’s Instagram pages for a while now and saw them post about the first Hysterical exhibition. I hadn’t created anything I felt was worthy of an exhibition back then, but when I saw the call out for submissions for this year’s exhibition on their Instagram, I thought my series, Tribute to the Birangona, would fit.
In what ways does your art practice relate to the Hysterical exhibition ethos?
It’s so important to me to use my art to tell meaningful stories, especially of those whose experiences may be lost or overlooked. My series, Tribute to the Birangona, is all about uplifting the stories and making people aware of the Birangona, the 200,000 – 400,000 Bengali women and girls who were raped, and enslaved at rape camps during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. My aim with this series was to showcase the vulnerability, strength and resistance of these women, as they have often been portrayed as powerless. I hope when people see my work, it encourages them to research and learn more about the Birangona and their stories. Hysterical is all about uplifting and showcasing art and stories of marginalised genders and identities, and I feel that my photography fits in with this ethos.
What are you most excited to be a part of or to attend during the Hysterical exhibition and events programme?
I’m so excited that Bee and Eliza felt my work was worthy to showcase alongside the other brilliant artists. I think we all have incredibly important and necessary messages to share through our art, and I feel so honoured I’m part of this exhibit! It was wonderful to meet the other artists and talk about our art together. Bee and Eliza have created a beautiful and inclusive community. It can often get lonely being an artist, as you’re making work and relying on yourself, doubting whether your creations are ‘good enough’ or conveying your intentions and if people will understand it. But being part of a community like Hysterical, you instantly feel understood and accepted, and everyone just gets how hard you work, and how much time, blood, sweat and tears (A LOT of tears) you put into your work. We’re all in it together, uplifting each other. It feels amazing and I’m so grateful to Bee and Eliza for creating this space!
What makes you feel hysterical?
Lots of things! I think mostly when people don’t respect boundaries, then call you unreasonable when you set your own and stand up for yourself. It’s in every setting as well, whether personal relationships, professional and even things like medical settings. When you try do to advocate for yourself, but some people react as if you’re being ‘dramatic’ or ‘hysterical,’ especially when you’re someone who is respectful of others boundaries! Just because you’re an understanding and empathetic person does not mean people should take advantage of that and push you around!
Abby Richard
Abby Richard is an American artist whose work centres around activism and issues affecting women. Her piece ‘Liberal Golfballs’ was made in protest to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and quietly injecting pro-choice rhetoric into traditionally conservative, wealthy, exclusive spaces. It features 3 golf balls which display the phone number for the planned parenthood donation hotline. As part of this project, anyone can order the golf balls and participate in a group protest by throwing them on golf courses across the U.S.
How did you first hear about and get involved with the Hysterical exhibition?
Last year, I saw a post about the first Hysterical exhibition, and thought the concept was just perfect. I was out of town while it was on, so I added Bee + Eliza on Instagram and fell in love with their work! Flash forward to this fall when they posted the open call for Hysterical 2023 – I applied immediately.
In what ways does your art practice relate to the Hysterical exhibition ethos?
My work is typically made in reaction to causes I care about, many of which are around social justice. I’m from the U.S, so there’s an abundance for me to create. When Roe v. Wade was overturned, I was living here in London and felt so far away. I created my golf balls as a way to participate in protests from afar.
What are you most excited to be a part of or to attend during the Hysterical exhibition and events programme?
Last night I attended the private viewing and was blown away by all the artwork! I’m most excited to be situated in a show with such talented and value-driven work – it’s truly such an honor and I’m inspired by everything I saw.
What makes you feel hysterical?
When I see basic human rights being taken away from anyone. That, and any heartwarming videos I see of animals (literal hysteria).
Ciara Mohan
Ciara Mohan is an Irish artist whose practice investigates social, political and reproductive health issues. Her piece ‘Wearable Hot Water Bottle’ is about having the condition endometriosis – a common condition that affects one in ten people with uteruses in Ireland; the wearable hot water bottle is designed to ease pain and comfort people with endometriosis, and speaks to what it’s like to have this condition in Ireland.
How did you first hear about and get involved with the Hysterical exhibition?
I actually heard about it through TikTok, I follow an account that posts creative opportunities for young or graduated artists and designers.
In what ways does your art practice relate to the Hysterical exhibition ethos?
The art I have shown in Hysterical creates awareness of the issues around female health. Chronic period pain and endometriosis isn’t a topic that is often talked about in modern-day society. Being a part of Hysterical creates awareness through open conversations about endometriosis.
What are you most excited to be a part of or to attend during the Hysterical exhibition and events programme?
I am extremely excited about the panel talks. I’m eager to listen to such interesting speakers and learn something new.
What makes you feel hysterical?
Being called “hun”, “doll”, “babe” or anything that isn’t my first name. It makes my skin crawl and inside I want to scream! I think this is a universal feeling for every woman.
Visit the Hysterical Exhibition at the Bermondsey Project Space this week until Saturday 25th March. To hear Eliza chat more about Hysterical, listen to her episode of the BRICKS I Did That Podcast powered by TikTok below.
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