‘Triptych’, 2022, comprises of three wooden panels (36” x 48”) individually entitled from left to right, ‘Mirror, Mirror Stage’, ‘Birds of Misfortune’ & ‘Otherness’.

McGinnes used oil and acrylic paint, collage, relief printing and thread to create these works, the palette reflecting her daily experience of being under a medicalised spotlight.

McGinnes became disabled at forty-five from cancer. This interruption to her life and injury to her sense of self became the inspiration for her current PhD research into identity. This work served to collate McGinnes’ first year of PhD research whilst exploring the process of her illness, treatment and recovery. Displayed here is her personal journey from identity rupture at diagnosis, through her endurance and will to survive. Finally she emerges, in a reflection of her initial trauma, to find herself still as other, outside of society and inside herself.

McGinnes aims to deliver recognisable imagery to those with similar life experiences, and via her art, reach those who are resiliently searching to rediscover a notion of self.