The work seeks to commemorate the victims of the Infected Blood Scandal. 

The project originated from a reflection on my story as a Haemophiliac, (I have a variation called Von Willebrand Disease) and over 3000 of my contemporaries who have died as a result of the Infected Blood Scandal. My form of Haemophilia is Von Willebrand Disease (VWD) which unlike most forms of Haemophilia is passed on and suffered by both male and female. I was given blood products treatment during the time in question. I have been screened and am clear of HIV and Hepatitis C.

The project began with a reflection on our condition of Haemophilia and Von Willebrand Disease and its consequences and our experience, our internal landscapes around emotional trauma and anguish whilst exploring the ceramic possibilities. This fed into studio time, investigating the possibilities of my ceramics practice through the exploration of materials, techniques and forms. 

The work is a series of ceramic pillow vessels. The pillow is where we begin and where we pass. A measure of life. The pillows seek to express an absence, the impression, or memory of the body. Blood on the pillow is very often the child's first indication of Haemophilia or Von Willebrand Disease, during teething. Waking to blood on the pillow is a traumatic experience for the sufferers and the family. The variation of the pillows seeks to reflect the individuals affected by the blood scandal.

Making: Stoneware was formed in to pillows, each with an indentation to represent the impression of the body. Slip was applied, then iron oxide. Iron oxide is a constituent of blood.

The Infected Blood Scandal

More than 30,000 people in the UK were given treatments infected with HIV, Hepatitis C and/or Hepatitis B and over 3,000 people have died. This is known as the Infected Blood Scandal.