Exhibitions

Pete Schiazza-
the packaged pill

18th February - 19th March 2006

A series of photographs of 1950s medical packaging, and portraits which address concerns involving the 'pharmaceuticalisation' of health care through administration, branding and marketing.

Pete Schiazza has created zealous, bold colour representations of 1950s medical packaging. This photographic project plays both with the graphical content and the graphic in concept. Schiazza’s contemporary realisation of this inertly sinister subject matter is enduring as imagery alone. With portraiture, Schiazza further explores an attack on our pharmaceutically dependant society and economy - provoking contemporary and relevant debate. By creating a brightly coloured, satirical irony - Schiazza inspires a potent exploration of the industry of pain relief and our own individual roles within it.

“This exhibition portrays the beginnings of the subtle co-option of pharmaceutical agents into the form of any other contemporary consumer product. The photographs highlight that, as early as the 1950s, these medicines were treated as consumables which were marketed, branded and packaged in a way so as to increase their appeal and usage, often with tenuous regard to science and clinical need. Some of the brands, indications, design and marketing blurb on these medicine packages are crude attempts to influence their usage. These might be sinister precursors of the subtle control over how we view our own health in this country.” Pete Schiazza

Other Artist information: Pete Schiazza's Myspace page