Through this artwork titled “Pastel Indigo,” Nicolle Cure’s aim is for viewers, whether sufferers of Tinnitus, Hyperacusis, or Misophonia or not, to perceive the subtleties of these conditions, which offer us numerous lessons.
The Sound Off art competition is a part of Hashir International Institute’s Public Involvement programme. Our Public Involvement programme comprises several initiatives: (1) Raising awareness projects, (2) Become a Solver, (3) Competitions and Prizes, and (4) Action Research. The Sound Off art competition in 2024 was organised in collaboration with the World Hearing Centre and the Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing and the Institute of Sensory Organs and was sponsored by MED-EL. The aim of the Sound Off was to raise awareness about misophonia, tinnitus and hyperacusis. Artists from different countries took part in the competition by submitting their pieces of artwork that demonstrated the experience of living with misophonia, hyperacusis or tinnitus. In this section we showcase each artwork, description of the artwork, motivations/inspirations of the artist, and artist’s personal relationship to misophonia, hyperacusis or tinnitus.
Artist’s Name: Nicolle Cure
Age: 41
Country of residence: United States
Name of artwork: Pastel Indigo
Explanation or description of the artwork. What inspired the work and what it means to the artist.
Through this artwork titled “Pastel Indigo,” my aim is for viewers, whether sufferers of Tinnitus, Hyperacusis, or Misophonia or not, to perceive the subtleties of these conditions, which offer us numerous lessons. Since 2017, these conditions have marked my life with constant challenges, but they have also strengthened my spirit and illuminated my art, turning adversity into an endless source of inspiration. “Pastel Indigo” is a poetic piece that reflects my vision of how sound manifests in various ways and at different stages of the onset and progression of these conditions. Through multiple layers of translucent acrylic paint and superimposed elements like curved lines and other accents drawn in graphite and oil pastel, I attempt to illustrate the ebb and flow of life, the ups and downs, the defeats, and the victories experienced by those who suffer from these conditions. It is my personal interpretation of sound in my life, the vibrations, the frequencies, and the moments of “silence” (represented by the blank spaces in the work). Through my art, I seek to transform suffering and bring more joy, encouraging us to see the good even in the most challenging, darkest, most frustrating, and exhausting moments. It is about pausing to observe beauty even as we live with these painful and annoying sounds and showing the incredible strength and resilience that sufferers of these conditions have acquired over time. After all that I have experienced and learned, I have discovered that although pain and loss are constant companions in my life, as in the lives of many, they also carry a hidden gift: the opportunity to find color, beauty, and purpose in the most unexpected corners of existence. This revelation, born from my own struggle with Tinnitus, Hyperacusis, and Misophonia, has shaped my perspective and work in a unique way and changed it for the better forever. This piece is a special celebration of our resilience and a call to be compassionate with ourselves and the world. It is the light and encouragement I desperately needed in many difficult times. I now want to bring this light and color to others suffering silently from “invisible” conditions like these.
Artist’s personal relationship to misophonia, hyperacusis or tinnitus.
In 2017, I experienced sudden sensorineural hearing loss (in my right ear), which led to the diagnosis of various vestibular conditions, including Meniere’s disease and BPPV. This isolating, painful, yet transformative experience has inspired me to illustrate the intricate world of sound in a visual format, capturing the essence of living with invisible conditions such as misophonia, hyperacusis, and tinnitus. Through my artwork and advocacy work, I aim to convey the challenges faced by individuals like myself, shedding light on the impact of sound sensitivity on daily life. Participating in the competition would allow me to share my unique perspective on living with these conditions, especially tinnitus and hyperacusis, and offer an opportunity to contribute to the broader discourse on sensory conditions. Art has the power to raise awareness and foster understanding, of being and feeling “seen,” and I am eager to be a part of this impactful initiative. The prospect of exhibiting my work at the 7th International Conference on Hyperacusis and Misophonia in Warsaw is truly inspiring and humbling. Thank you for providing a platform for individuals like me to share our stories and views through the beautiful language of art.
