Maggie Bell: Wedding Dress

Artist statement:

The artwork I present here, has its roots in the 28-year DV relationship I lived through.

I present for your consideration, a deeply moving artwork—the 'Wedding Dress'. This artwork serves as a stark juxtaposition between the world's perception of the beautiful bridal gown—the exquisite wedding dress and flowing veil—and the hidden truth that lies within.

As viewers approach the 'Wedding Dress,' they encounter the facade that the world sees—an intricate and beautiful bridal gown. But as they continue to the back of the dress, hidden from plain sight, they discover my painstakingly hand-embroidered words. These words describe the broken-hearted emotions brought on by the actions and criticisms of my perpetrator, and the raw, painful emotions I felt.

The veil, a symbol of purity and tradition, covers up these words just like the hidden abuse, veiled in secrecy. The wedding dress itself, found in an opportunity shop, bears an uncanny resemblance to the one I wore when I married my perpetrator. It serves as a powerful symbol of the duality of my experience—the external appearance of joy and love, hiding the internal anguish and suffering.