A digital zine exploring eating distress through art practice
“artED evolved out of the graphic-art diaries that I began making at the start of the pandemic to stay connected to family and friends. Recording my daily activities kept me stimulated. Motivated to take a walk, watch a film, listen to a podcast, or make a drawing. I got into the habit of posting the diaries every day on social media and my confidence grew as more and more people connected with them. Gradually, as time went on, they became a way for me to share with increasing candour and humour my experience of living with eating distress, OCD and autism. With an archive of over 1800 (and counting!) artED is born out of my interest to explore the contents of the diaries and show how I make sense of the world through my art. I hope that by being open about my experiences I can support others in similar situations and raise understanding of neurodiversity and eating distress.” Helen Shaddock
Helen Shaddock is a graduate of Glasgow School of Art, and Newcastle University MFA programme. Her work incorporates writing, video, sound, sculpture, performance, and drawing. She has lived with anorexia, OCD & neurodiversity for over 20 years and her research explores themes related to this and her recent autism diagnosis. Based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Shaddock’s work engages diverse audiences via exhibitions, public art commissions, talks, events and workshops, and is held in national museum collections and archives.