What should be simple doesn’t always work that way (detail), 2023, aluminum gilding and found objects, 150cm(h) x 30 cm x 10cm

What should be simple doesn’t always work that way is a work I produced for a show at Articulate Project Space in Sydney, Australia around the theme of connection.

For the mechanical connecting of medical paraphernalia, how well the design works, how easy it is, how often it fails and how much time it takes to manage, all impact on the ability of anybody to manage their disease. What should be simple doesn’t always work that way is an expression of resignation or of disbelief that some things just don’t work the way they should. 

The Urostomy bag and the extension to the night bag are simple out of body replacements for a bladder. The two plastic medical devices parts are designed to connect in such a way that the urine produced during the night will be almost siphoned off into the night bag.

The most important connection of these two devices is the one to the human body. Then the urostomy bag is stuck without much finesse to the skin of the stomach surrounding the stoma. This connection is not in this work. It is off stage It can’t be seen as in use the urostomy bag conceals it from view. It is always private.