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.
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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.
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