Peachy
Participatory Portrait
She was
hysterical
Peachy spent years being told her symptoms were normal, exaggerated or “all in her head.” By the time she was finally heard, the consequences had become permanent.
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Peachy lives with FND, endometriosis and Fowler’s syndrome. From her teens onwards, serious symptoms were repeatedly explained away as hysteria, mental health, IBS or simply part of being a woman.
At 15, she lost the ability to walk while being told it was “all in her head.” Before her endometriosis diagnosis, she was advised to get pregnant because it might help. Years later, she went to A&E in severe pain and pushed for further investigation after being told it was IBS. Soon afterwards, she was diagnosed with Fowler’s syndrome and her bladder failed. She now needs a catheter permanently.
Peachy is a disabled model who uses her work to make disability visible rather than something to hide. She loves art, modelling, clay work, cooking and anything creative, and describes herself as bubbly, outgoing and unapologetically herself.
THE DESTRUCTION
It’s Normal
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About the Work
2026
Acrylic on canvas with attached catheter valve
I painted “YOU’RE A WOMAN. IT’S NORMAL.” across Peachy’s face, using the words that repeatedly reduced serious symptoms to something she was expected to tolerate.
At the bottom of the canvas I physically attached a catheter valve. It is not symbolic: Peachy now needs a catheter for life. The contrast between those dismissive words and the medical reality beneath them is the point of the piece.