Children of the Hoard

Didactic: Children of the hoard is a visceral exploration of the hidden suffering of children raised by hoarders. The suffocating maze of objects exhibited via dollhouses; reflects the overwhelming environment these children endure. Lost treasures, broken toys and forgotten dreams symbolize the emotional and physical neglect they experience.

Description: The dollhouses are constructed from everyday objects – clothes, toys, books, food – all piled high, creating a tsunami of claustrophobic chaos. The gallery floor is littered with stories told by adult children of hoarders.

Medium: Mixed media

Impact: The installation compels viewers to confront the emotional cost that children pay. The stories, whether trodden on or picked up to be read, foster empathy for the silent, shameful struggle and the lifelong impact ‘the hoard’ has on children.

Where: Old Ambulance Station Gallery, 80 Howard St, Nambour

When: Tuesday 3rd September 2024 – Saturday 21st September 2024

Artists talk: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 11:30am (Updated 21/02/2024, different days, rescheduled from 10:30am)

Learn about the unseen, unheard challenges and horrors that children of hoarders endure. Please join us for this unique NAPCAN event as part of Child Protection week.

Guest speaker: Dr. Jan Eppingstall of Stuffology.com.au

Where: Old Ambulance Station Gallery, 80 Howard St, Nambour

When: 10:30am on Wednesday 4th September 2024

RSVP: Please use Contact form below

Catherine Gamble has a Master of Arts degree from CQ University. This art installation is based on her research and lived experience. Catherine is a published poet and has won numerous awards including - Emerging Scholar Award (Imperial College, London); Premier’s Sustainability Award, and has been shortlisted for Sunny Coast Showdown.

My Child of Hoarder Story

I read a lot of fairytales as a kid, trying to escape the squalid hellhole I shamefully called home. I liked the ones where you get three wishes the best. Shall I tell you what mine were? First wish? Home cooked meals – or at least safe food. Mum used to joke that she loved home cooking – just not her own. I wouldn’t have cared how bad it was, it just would’ve been nice…normal. Wish number two was a clean house so I could have a friend sleepover or a birthday party. The final wish? Bruises. At least then, maybe someone, anyone would notice something was wrong, but they never did.

Your support will enable us to tour this project and support an emerging artist to continue to contribute to the social justice art landscape.

https://chuffed.org/project/children-of-the-hoard

Thank you for your kindness, we greatly appreciate your support.