Meg Matko—Secret Condition: Transvaginal; Adhesion; Internal/External
From the artist: This project is intended to serve as an investigation, call to action and love note to women suffering from ‘secret’ female reproductive health disorders, including, but not limited to, endometriosis, adenomyosis, miscarriage, infertility and premature ovarian failure. As a human, I suffer from all of these disorders. As an artist, I endeavor to confront both the viewer and the broader community with a painful portrait of existing with these conditions and the sad reality of how our society cares for its women. The lack of knowledge, research, treatment options available, coupled with the medical industry’s blatant dismissal of women debilitated by chronic physical and psychological pain, has resulted in millions of women hiding symptoms, foregoing care, questioning their sanity and suffering in silence. An estimated 6.5 million women in the U.S. live with endometriosis, though it takes one woman an average of 10 years to receive a formal and accurate diagnosis. And that accounts for women who have ready access to health care options and specialist services. Outdated and borderline barbaric medical practices like encouraging patients to get pregnant, remove their reproductive organs or agree to chemically-induced menopause as treatment for their endometriosis continue to be practiced today.
The project umbrella, Secret Condition, will consist of two performative, time-based works and one community participatory work. Transvaginal, will exist as a solo performance; Adhesion is a second solo performance, with potential for unplanned audience participation. And finally, Internal / External is planned as an intentional community-based project to engage women and female identifying individuals who also suffer from these and other reproductive health issues.