Artist Joe Caslin Captures Modern Ireland for HSE's Sexual Wellbeing Campaign

As part of their Sexual Wellbeing campaign, the HSE has launched a new service this week whereby anyone aged 17 years and older can now order a free STI testing kit online and test at home.

Core has developed a series of posters, Digital Out-Of-Home and digital display, working collaboratively with artist and activist Joe Caslin. Working with the creative team Helena Jones and Ciaran Moran, he created a range of characters that represent society in Ireland today. The media campaign has been planned by Spark Foundry, part of Core.

Caslin has worked on numerous social impact projects, notably in 2015 during Ireland’s Marriage Equality referendum, The Claddagh Embrace was installed at the corner of Dame Street and Georges Street in Dublin and appeared on the front page of the New York Times. In March 2022, Joe was interviewed about this and his other work, as part of Core’s Join the Dots series which can be listed to on Spotify.

Speaking about his involvement with this project, Joe Caslin said, “Creating such a wide range of drawn bodies is important. So often people we are friends with, love or are part of our families are often overlooked and not represented. This is a service for every person and every relationship.

Knowing that a sexual health test can be done in the comfort of your own home makes it less daunting. The tests are free, simple to order on SH24.ie and easy to use. Your samples are sent to the lab by freepost, and you get the results by text within a few days. And, if you happen to need treatment that is free too.

There should never be any shame in accessing testing. Knowing your status is important. I would encourage you to go online and order a test.”