Although the impetus for his work is often personal experience, the topics that artist Peter Karuna deals with in his video projects become political — perhaps even universal — and are far less navel-gazing than one might expect of contemporary self- reflective video work. The installation he worked on called When You Need Me: Health Care Workers in Ontario is a good example. As part of a larger exhibition called Can I Help You? Canadian Workers at Your Service, the video was recently on display at the Ontario Workers Arts and Heritage Centre (OWAHC) in Hamilton, Ont. The exhibition explored labour issues unique to those who serve the public in fields as diverse as the food industry and health care. Among the artists invited to participate was “Careless Servant Woman,” a collective whose members are Peter Karuna, Anne Milne and their daughter Iris Karuna. What they came up with is a provocative exploration of the day-to-day tasks of health care workers such as nurses and home care workers and the political challenges facing health care today.
Criticism of increasing privatization in many sectors, including health care, has become widespread. The artists who participated in the OWAHC project have joined the list of skeptics. According to the centre's press material, home care agencies in Ontario are currently forced to compete for provincial contracts. When an agency loses a contract, many workers lose their jobs and are expected to switch to an agency whose bid has been successful. Seniority, job security and wages are jeopardized, as is the desirability of a career in home care.
When You Need Me documents responses to this changing climate through personal interviews with workers. Judging by their comments, not only are working conditions altered, but so is the quality of patient care. Accompanying the video, a room-size installation incorporating fragmented x-ray images of walkers and wheelchairs formed the most symbolic and, consequently, most daunting part of the work. Latex gloves filling a display case were accompanied by words reminding the viewer of their necessity: “mucus,” “lesions,” “sores,” etc. But the exhibition shifted from the political to the personal with the inclusion of a composition: a pillow, several night-lights and a sleeping bag hung on a wall. On the pillow was an image of an elderly woman's face. Beside this arrangement was a statement that set the tone for the room:
My mother visited Canada three times. During one of her visits, she was employed by a well-off family as a live-in support worker. She cared for an elderly man. Her wages were very low, but she didn't have to pay for her room and board. In 1990, she left Canada for the last time. After a prolonged illness, she died in poverty.
This testimony might hint at the personal experience that spawned this project. But the overriding message is a political one that hits home: supporting the work of home care should be a political priority. Anyone can get sick. And, if we live long enough, we might need a little support in our homes. Let's hope there will be something there for us.
Sherri Telenko Hamilton, Ont.
Figure. Peter Karuna, with Anne Milne and Iris Karuna, 2001. Untitled. Mixed media, 8' х 6' (approx). The colour photo image of an old and frail woman is applied to a white pillow that is lit from inside and positioned at the head of a vertical “bed.” An arc of glowing night lights enshrines the image of the woman. Each night light illuminates a tiny, full-length portrait of the same woman. Floral curtains, floor tiles and incontinence briefs tucked into two bedpans frame the arrangement. Photo by: © Peter Karuna, 2001
Figure. Peter Karuna, with Anne Milne and Iris Karuna, 2001. Installation shot of When You Need Me. At the centre is “Mike's Homecare Wishing Well,” mixed media (copper, recycled spring water bottles, urostomy pouches, wood, lighting). A sign on top (not visible) promises home care access for all Ontarians; the translucent urostomy-bag shingles contain inserts with a trillium logo and the phrase “Open for Business.” To the left is a silver print photogram of walking aids. Lightboxes display latex surgical gloves; inside each glove is a colour image of a woman's hand, with a superimposed word or phrase. Above the right lightbox are photographs of striking home care nurses. Photo by: © Peter Karuna, 2001