Bianca Wallis-Salmon is a Leeds based multidisciplinary artist studying MA Fine Art at Leeds Arts University, where she previously graduated from BA Photography in 2013. Over the last ten years she has worked in different areas of the arts industry whilst attempting to live with CFS/ME (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) – ‘a long-term, fluctuating condition that causes symptoms affecting many body systems, more commonly the nervous and immune systems.’ (Action for M.E, 2022).
The endeavour to survive this condition is thwarted by the lack of adequate acknowledgment, research, and support by the medical and social care systems. Bianca has been able to find a way albeit an equally tumultuous one through a holistic model of health that draws upon natural, spiritual, and esoteric healing practices, aspects that now underpin her creative practice.
A Night Between Two Days / The Waves Roar Within a Seashell
Bianca draws upon her own body, memories, and personal experience to create a visual language for the internalised and often unseen experience of chronic illness and the healing journey. Her work explores the inner and outer realms of the mind, body, and soul as they oscillate between illness and wellness – stasis and flux. She maintains that becoming unwell is easy, it sneaks up on you like a thief in the night – the hard part is reclaiming what it took. However, this also holds the potential for creating something new, viewing it as a catalyst for change – a procession of life, death, and rebirth – a metamorphosis.
