Installation gives voice to 'invisible' suffering

An innovative art installation called Mirrorbox is set to appear across the West Country, offering a unique way to understand the challenges faced by people living with chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as ME, and long Covid. Created by Bristol artist Alison Larkman, who herself suffers from ME, the Mirrorbox is a mirrored structure about the size of a phone booth. Inside, visitors can listen to recorded messages from patients explaining why certain locations hold special meaning to them and why their illness prevents them from being there in person. The project, titled 'I would be here if I could', aims to give a voice to those whose suffering often goes unseen and unheard.

ME is a debilitating condition that causes extreme tiredness and can leave patients bed-bound, unable to perform even simple daily tasks. Other symptoms include memory and concentration difficulties, muscle and joint pain, dizziness, and sensitivity to light and sound. Alison Larkman described how, during her worst periods, she can only stay awake for about three hours at a time. She explained that while her body is confined, her imagination allows her to travel mentally to places she longs to visit. For Alison, this place is often the busy Victoria Station in London, where she would watch the crowds from the top of the escalators on her way to see her sister. For others, it might be as simple as watching their children play in a park.

The Mirrorbox has already traveled to various locations across the UK and will soon be installed in Bristol and Glastonbury. Visitors who enter the box are invited to write postcards to the individuals whose messages they hear, creating a connection between those who are able to visit these places and those who cannot. Some participants were unable to record their voices due to their condition, so they contributed written messages or texts instead. Alison emphasized the importance of giving these individuals a platform to be heard, saying that the project was extended to allow more people to share their stories. The installation will be at Troopers Hill in Bristol on June 1, under an oak tree at Ashton Court on June 4, and at the top of Glastonbury Tor on June 18. This project sheds light on the invisible suffering of people with ME and long Covid, helping the public to better understand their experiences.