Bex Thompson – Appearances Can Be Decieving

Artist: Bex Thompson

Title of Piece: Appearances can be decieving

About the Piece: This is a photo of me, taken during one of my first ever photo shoots. I find that modelling is actually a very good metaphor for what I go through on a daily basis – presenting an image to the outside world which is not necessarily an accurate reflection of what is happening inside.

I have become tired of being told that I don’t look sick, because I am smiling!

I certainly want my pain to be taken seriously – but I don’t want it to define me! I work very hard to appear ‘normal’ and happy. Just because I’m not crying all the time does not mean that the pain is no longer there.

About the Artist: I have lived with Chronic Pain in my back for nearly ten years and am yet to be given a definite diagnosis. At this stage the doctors suspect it to be Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.