“Everyone Has to Do Their Washing, Kiyah”

Kiyah brings her work into a world that can often feel cruel and unwelcoming, deliberately creating unsettling sensations and uncomfortable environments for the audience. In much of her practice, the aim is to provoke a visceral response - skin crawling, stomach turning, and the pressing questions of, “Why was this created?” and “Why does it make me feel this way?” 

Kiyah's work speaks to a niche audience drawn to the grotesque and unusual, finding both fascination and amusement in discomfort. A mixed-media artist from Queensland, she draws inspiration from personal life experiences and her unique perspective on the world.

Living with a chronic illness, the everyday activities of the average person become a herculean ordeal. Despite the agony, fatigue, and emotional distress, you have to just ‘get it done’. Commuting and working, doing your groceries, maintaining your home - each task is consuming, agonising, and debilitating. Holding yourself together with a brave face while everyone else seemingly functions passively can be an extremely isolating experience. The title of this work is a coworker's response to the struggles I shared.