Spoon Theory Exhibition Catalogue

Spoon Theory 

Elizabeth Curry

Craft + Design Canberra is partially supported by the ACT 

Government, the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy - an 

initiative of the Australia State and Territory Governments, 

and the Australia Council for the Arts - the Australian 

Government's arts funding and advisory body. 

Craft + Design Canberra acknowledges the Ngunnawal 

people as the traditional custodians of the ACT and 

surrounding areas. We honour and respect their ongoing 

cultural and spiritual connections to this country and the 

contribution they make to the life of this city and this 

region. We aim to respect cultural heritage, customs, and 

beliefs of all indigenous people. 

Craft + Design Canberra 

Wednesday - Saturday | 12pm-4pm 

Or by appointment. 

Level 1, North Building | 180 London Circuit 

Canberra ACT Australia 

02 6262 9333 

www.craftanddesigncanberra.org 

Publisher: Craft + Design Canberra 

Research, writing, and coordination: Christian Sirois 

Editor: Belinda Neame 

Graphic Design Template: Christian Sirois 

ABN 33 314 092 587 

© Craft + Design Canberra 

Cover Image | Elizabeth Curry | Spoon Theory Collection , 2023 | Photo by Taylah Cunningham


Elizabeth Curry 

27 October – 9 December 2023 

Craft + Design Canberra

Image: Artist name, work title, year. Photo: Photo Credit. 

Image Elizabeth Curry | Spoon Theory Collection, 2023 | Photo by Taylah Cunningham

Image Elizabeth Curry | Spoon Theory Collection , 2023 | Photo by Taylah Cunningham



EXHIBITION STATEMENT 

Spoon Theory is a concept that was derived by lupussufferer 

Christine Miserandino. When asked by her friend 

what it felt like to live with the invisible illness, Miserandino 

looked around the environment in which they sat and 

collected up the items most readily available, spoons. She 

went on to explain that each spoon represented a unit of 

energy and with each task undertaken throughout the day 

you use up those units of energy. Sometimes you start the 

day with only 12 spoons because you’ve been stressed, not 

been sleeping well, or that’s just what is usually available to 

you. Once you have a shower you may have used 2 spoons, 

getting dressed may take up a spoon and if you have to cook 

for yourself that may take 3 spoons. You haven’t even made 

it past breakfast and already you’ve used half the spoons 

available to you for the day. This was a simple and 

informative way to describe the limits Miserandino faced 

each day and since then the concept has been utilised to help 

other people with invisible illnesses to communicate how 

they’re feeling. 

This project portrays my journey with invisible illness 

through my own interpretation of spoon theory. 

By Elizabeth Curry



Image Elizabeth Curry | Spoon Theory Collection, 2023 | Photo by Taylah Cunningham 

Image: Artist name, work title, year. Photo: Photo Credit.


Essay by Jenni Curry 

They say that to know one person 

with autism means to have an 

understanding of autism in that 

individual only. In fact, autism 

spectrum disorder (ASD) is named 

as such to communicate the range 

of challenges faced by individuals 

with this diagnosis. Challenges can 

include sensory sensitivity, 

especially to noise, touch and taste, 

a lack of awareness of social norms, 

or difficulty in maintaining eye 

contact. The spectrum is broad and 

the people who are on it are 

incredibly diverse, not just in how 

they present, but in who they are. 

Add being female to this diversity, 

and getting a diagnosis and 

subsequent support can become 

even more challenging. Girls and 

women tend to present with 

different symptoms from what ASD 

was previously understood to be, 

and awareness of this difference is 

still developing within the field of 

mental health support today. 

This exhibition showcases 18 

spoons which represent different 

emotions that the artist, Elizabeth 

Curry, has experienced throughout 

her life. Viewers may be able to 

relate to some of these emotions or 

recognise the themes within their 

own experiences. 

However, the spoons represent not 

just passing emotions but emotions 

which have been strong or 

prominent for Elizabeth over many 

years. These emotions have been a 

driving force on her behaviour, and 

at times have been controlling or 

all-consuming. Remember, that just 

because someone with autism 

struggles to express what they are 

feeling, does not mean they do not 

feel, or feel to a lesser extent than 

others. Sometimes, an emotion can 

be so overpowering, the only course 

of action is to shut-down. 

This exhibition aims to open the 

conversation on mental health, 

especially ASD, depression and 

anxiety. Through the use of a 

common subject, the spoon, 

Elizabeth stretches the bounds of 

what we will recognise as a spoon in 

order to communicate an idea. By 

broadening our awareness of what it 

feels like to live with an invisible 

illness (or three), we are invited to 

bring understanding and 

compassion into our daily 

interactions. 

As you view each piece, I invite you 

to ask yourself; ‘do I identify with 

the emotion expressed in this 

spoon?’, ‘can I understand why 

someone else would feel what is 

expressed in this spoon?’ and ‘can 

we, in our everyday lives, create the 

space for people to feel and express 

emotions differently?’ 

Written by Jenni Curry with 

assistance from Autism Awareness 

Australia 

Jenni Curry is a Canberra-based writer 

with a Masters in Creative Writing 

and published poetry and short stories. 

She is a communications specialist and 

supporter of the arts. She is proud to 

have been able to watch the 

development of Spoon Theory from its 

initial inception.



Elizabeth Curry 

ARTIST STATEMENT 

This exhibition represents a major milestone in my life; one 

of acceptance, understanding and self-confidence. I have 

never felt ashamed of my mental illness but, being unsure of 

how others in society would react, I kept the number of 

people who were aware of my diagnoses to a select few. 

Now, with this exhibition, everyone will know of my autism, 

depression and anxiety. 

For the most part, throughout my life, I have felt grateful for 

my mental illness because despite the many struggles and 

hard times, without it I wouldn’t have my compassion, I 

wouldn’t possess my creativity and I wouldn’t have the level 

of self-awareness that I value. I may have missed out on or 

delayed partaking in some experiences but I have a strong 

sense of self and feel things with a depth that most people 

would never be able to even contemplate. 

The journey of each person with an invisible illness is 

unique and complex. My hope, through this exhibition, is to 

show my own experience and have it accepted. If just one 

other person sees their own journey in these spoons and 

feels seen, acknowledged and understood, then I have done 

what I intended. We all have our own journeys. Each one is 

as unique as each spoon in this exhibition. 

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY 

Elizabeth Curry is an emerging, designer-artist working 

primarily with metal on both Ngunnawal and Ngambri 

country. She is engaging in an experimental art practice with 

a strong focus on concept resolution and an emphasis on 

technical execution, much of which is aided by her design 

sensibility. There is a pull to use multiple art forms and/or 

alternative materials and methods when creating her pieces, 

making each one unique and interesting, embedding within 

them new personalities and perspectives. 

Since completing a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Visual 

Arts (Honours) at the Australian National University, 

Elizabeth has exhibited and been curated into shows both 

locally and nationally including at the Australian Design 

Centre (NSW) and Toowoomba Regional Gallery (QLD). She 

also co-curated a multi-disciplinary group show at the 

Belconnen Arts Centre (ACT) and been named as a finalist in 

a number of acclaimed jewellery prizes.


Craft + Design Canberra 

COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY 

AND INCLUSION 

Craft + Design Canberra is deeply committed to fostering 

diversity and inclusion within the world of contemporary 

craft and design. Recognizing the richness and creativity 

that diverse perspectives bring to the field, the organization 

actively promotes a welcoming and inclusive environment 

for artists, makers, and enthusiasts of all backgrounds. By 

celebrating and supporting artists from various cultures, 

ethnicities, genders, and abilities. This commitment to 

diversity and inclusion not only enriches the organization's 

offerings but also serves as an inspirational example for the 

broader creative industry.

Spoon Theory Exhibition Catalogue

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