Opioid Crisis Illuminated In Shocking Oberlin Art Exhibit

From the Firelands Association for the Visual Arts: Artist Tamara Staples’ sister committed suicide via a cocktail of prescribed medications after suffering from bi-polar disorder for many years. Following her death, Tamara collected the contents of her sister’s medicine cabinet and created a heart-breaking and powerful pill-based installation using the pills she collected—all of which were legally prescribed. Tamara wondered if the mediations were responsible for her sister’s demise and this concern led her in a photographic exploration that ended with experiential artwork in the mind-set of activism. This exhibition explores the disconnection between mental health challenges and medication—and especially polypharmacy.

The unique installation includes a constructed bedroom complete with reposition-able wallpaper and movable walls. Every intricate detail on the quilt, pillows, wallpaper—even the art—include her sister’s pills. Additionally, Tamara inventoried the 114 pill types, both pharmaceutical and over-the-counter, into a printed hard bound book which will be available to view. Lastly, a looped video of undulating water surfaces is included to remind the viewer of the tenuous flow of our physiological selves.

At first-glance you cannot tell the room is dripping with prescription pills; the colors are vibrant and the designs warm and welcoming. Tamara created this installation as a narrative of polypharmacy, mental health, and as a healing tool for herself to work through the questions of whether the pills themselves caused her suicidal thoughts.

The exhibition will run in the South Gallery of FAVA from May 12 to July 29, 2018. An opening reception is to be held May 12 from 4 to 7pm. Representatives from local mental health, drug treatment, and law enforcement agencies will be on hand during the reception to answer questions.

Founded in 1979, (FAVA) Firelands Association for the Visual Arts is an independent, non-profit arts organization in Oberlin, dedicated to enhancing public appreciation of and participation in the visual arts through exhibitions and related educational and community activities. FAVA presents challenging exhibitions of high quality artwork in a variety of styles and media. FAVA is known nationally for their biennial Artist as Quiltmaker exhibition – one of the longest running juried art quilt exhibitions in the world.

For information visit the FAVA website here.

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