Maintenance as Care

I drew upon my experiences as a domestic assistant within a hospital, working closely with the vulnerable, sick, and even deceased. Through a variety of lens-based works, I weave together self-portraiture and storytelling to illuminate the significance of maintenance in the realm of caregiving. From the attention to cleanliness and orderliness in hospital wards to the tender acts of tending to others' needs, I capture the interplay between maintenance tasks and acts of compassion. Through these narratives, I challenge usual notions of care and highlight the overlooked labour of maintenance as a fundamental form of nurture. I invite viewers to contemplate the intricacy of human connections and responsibilities, encouraging empathy and understanding for those who dedicate themselves to acts of caring in any field.