#Ialsohavemigraine - an Art Poster for the visibility of migraines
- andreageipel
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
Even though I'm repeating myself, migraine is more than just a headache . It's a neurological disorder that affects the lives of millions of people – in Germany, across Europe, and worldwide. Headache disorders are among the most common neurological diseases, and migraine is one of the top three causes of disease burden globally (World Health Organization ).
In Germany, approximately 10–14% of adults experience recurrent migraine attacks, with a significantly higher prevalence in women than in men ( Robert Koch Institute ). This means that millions of people are affected , many of them of working age, with consequences for their quality of life, work, and social participation.
And yet, migraines often remains invisible in the public consciousness. Not because they are harmless, but because their effects – pain, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, exhaustion – occur internally, beyond what others can easily see or understand.
How a social action became a work of art
After politician Heidi Reichinnek openly discussed her migraine in April 2025 , a public debate about the widespread condition ensued. Social media saw heated discussions, including whether someone with migraine should even be a politician. In response, the German Migraine League (Migraineliga e.V.), together with neurologist Prof. Dagny Holle-Lee, launched a campaign on their Instagram account "migraene_doc" using the hashtag #ichhabeauchMigraine (I also have migraines), encouraging people to share their professional identities while living with migraine – as a statement against stigmatization and in support of the idea that migraine and the ability to work can coexist.
The answer to that is: Many sufferers shared their profession, and it became clear how diverse migraine sufferers are – doctors, teachers, engineers, artists, nurses, parents, students and so many more.
This initiative deeply impressed me because it shows that we are not alone . In our own struggles – in times of fatigue, pain, and often profound loneliness – it's easy to forget how many people are experiencing similar things.
Because I found this impulse powerful, I started screenshotting all the posts shared in migraene_doc's story. In the end, there were over 100 people , each with their own story, identity, and voice. I knew I wanted to create a work of art that addressed precisely this quantity and diversity - while simultaneously protecting privacy and dignity.
The poster "We are many"
The artistic idea was clear: What if these voices were not only presented as a list or statistics, but made physically present ? Each individual should be recognizable as part of a larger whole – but in a way that does not identify anyone who does not wish to be identified.
Therefore, I have only depicted all those involved in outline: people whose form is visible, but who bear no names. Behind the many figures are words for the professions they pursue despite – or perhaps even because of – migraine. This reveals how many different roles, lifestyles, and contributions there are, and how wrong it would be to assume that migraine automatically deprive people of the ability to work.
The work is therefore not just a visual representation of individuals, but a collective statement – about presence, about working environments, and about what we as a society need to do to think more about participation.
A work situated between visibility and community
This poster is, for me, both a work of art and a social document. It serves as a reminder that chronic illness, especially when invisible, is not something individuals "go through alone," but rather an issue affecting millions of people, yet often remaining unspoken.
The artistic gesture itself – the juxtaposition of anonymous figures, the interplay of profession and body – creates an image that does not explain, but makes tangible : what it means to be visible despite invisibility.
If this work can contribute even a little to creating visibility, understanding, or dialogue – then it has become exactly what I hoped it would be.
Because We Are Many !
Edition Prices and Access
I offer the poster “#ichhabeauchMigraine” as a limited edition .
A2 edition for practices and institutions (signed, numbered): €500
→ intended for places where migraine can be made visible: doctors' offices, clinics, meeting rooms or further education venues.
A3 edition for private use (signed, limited edition): €180
→ for people who want to wear the artwork in their everyday lives.
The prices reflect not only material and printing costs, but also the artistic process, research, and limited edition.
If you have any questions about the work or its application in your context, I look forward to exchanging ideas – whether you're a practitioner, a participant, or simply interested. Feel free to send me an email.
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