Hear Me See Me – a journey of art, advocacy and healing
By Amanda Robinson of Mesh Survivors Ireland
Art has always been a way to tell stories that words alone cannot carry. For me this truth became deeply personal during my Fine Art degree journey – a journey that spanned five years, marked by resilience, setbacks, and triumphs. In 2024, I graduated with a first-class BA (Hons) in Fine Art, but the road to that moment was far from easy. I had to take a year out to travel to England for mesh removal surgery, a decision that changed my life.
As part of my graduation show, I created Hear Me See Me, an installation that became more than art. It became a voice for the voiceless. Together with my daughter, Kathrina Robinson, we produced a film that sits at the heart of this work. The film features five courageous women from Mesh Survivors Ireland, speaking honestly and rawly about the physical, emotional, sexual, and psychological impact of mesh complications. Their courage is the heartbeat of this work.
Set in an intimate space, the film centres their voices – some anonymous – while they hold textile artefacts connected to the installation. These artefacts are symbols of pain, resilience, and hope. The women share their stories in third person due to legal constraints, yet their truths resonate powerfully. The first woman bravely allowed her full story to be told, while the rest of us, including myself, remain hidden. In the final moments, you’ll hear me reading a poem I wrote, my face concealed, but my voice unwavering.
This project was exhausting both emotionally and physically. After the exhibition, my mental health suffered, and another operation followed. For a long time, I didn’t have the strength to share it further. But now, I feel ready. Ready to fight again. Ready to raise awareness about the devastating consequences of medical mesh and to stand with women who are still being told this is a solution.
Together, we can ensure that the voices of Mesh Survivors Ireland – the forgotten women – are heard.
Hear Me See Me is a collective call for change in women’s healthcare. It is a testament to trauma, resilience, and healing. And it is a reminder that art can be activism.
▶ Listen to an interview about why our mesh stories matter – with RDS Dublin a prestigious venue that hosted the exhibition
A post shared by The RDS (@rdsdublin)
▶ Watch the full film on YouTube
A post shared by Amanda R Kelly Artist (@amanda.r.kelly.art)
The A1 poster below is sourced from Ireland’s Health Service Executive website and is marked with personal notes expressing my frustrations at the HSE about complications from mesh devices, which are not mentioned on the website. A section of it is blacked out to illustrate what women are not allowed to talk about.
