Gillian Wearing, The Whitworth, Manchester

A Woman Called Theresa.

Gillian Wearing 1998

Whilst at the Whitworth in Manchester I took the opportunity to look at some other exhibitions.  One such was A Woman called Theresa by Gillian Wearing.  This work depicts the life of an alcoholic woman called Theresa and the men she befriends and sleeps with.  I found this work very moving.  It comprises photographs and very honest and revealing statements about her by the men in her life.  These perhaps say as much about them as about her.  Judging by the writing and penportraits both she and the men are very needy - special needs, perhaps judging by the handwriting?.  I found it very sad, but eye-opening.  People like this are plentiful in Grimsby and I 'know' both from observation and from professional knowledge.  It is easy to be smug and self-satisfied but, perhaps, there but for the grace of God, background and aspirations.