MARTA FIGUEIREDO: CRIP TIME

Crip Time is a powerful sculptural and performative installation by artist Marta Figueiredo, inviting visitors to explore the impact of chronic illness on time, labour, and productivity. Presented at MAGMA Galleries, the work brings together art, science, and storytelling to deepen understanding of the lived experiences of those managing chronic conditions.

At the heart of the installation is an aluminium clock frame, accompanied by a 12-hour video loop depicting a character physically manipulating the clock’s weighted hands—symbolising the ongoing effort to reconcile societal expectations of productivity with the personal realities of chronic pain and fatigue. The Crip Time Clock transforms qualitative research into an evocative sensory experience, revealing the fluctuating, non-linear nature of time for individuals living with chronic illness.

Throughout the exhibition, Marta Figueiredo offers live demonstrations, creating and installing elements of the Crip Time Clock while engaging in performances that further emphasise the themes of resilience and adaptation. These performances will highlight the often invisible labour of managing a chronic condition.

The Crip Time Clock aims to foster empathy and spark conversations about conventional perceptions of time, productivity, and labour. It serves as a platform for reflection on the intersection of health, well-being, and societal expectations, encouraging a reconsideration of how we design our work environments and structures for greater understanding and flexibility.