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As a dual-heritage teenager with undiagnosed autism and adhd, artist Déa Neile-Hopton conjured a sense of safety in a world that felt overwhelming and often terrifying by wearing a special jumper. She wore the jumper almost continuously until it was ragged and torn. In her mind the jumper was called her ‘Security Jumper’.

Security  Jumper considers the desire we all hold to feel safe. The ways and methods we construct to cope, whilst also describing the illusionary nature of such talismans in a world that is ultimately uncontrollable. As a species we have created mythologies and theologies, religions, social systems, communities, governments, politics, police, armies and science and all to create the belief that we are safe and in control. These systems work to keep some relatively safe and yet, it is always possible to see evidence of their failings. 

Those of us who exist on the margins are often the first to fall, sometimes as victims of the very systems we are told are there to create safety. 

BSL

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