About the Project

This project focuses on the stigma which surrounds the appearance of ageing skin, largely inspired by my own lived experience. Growing up I always felt self conscious about my skin particularly as I struggled with health conditions such as eczema and undiagnosed dietary intolerances which caused spots and scarring. In my teens, stretch marks and cellulite gained importance on my list of skin insecurities.

Now, I find my biggest concern related to skin appearance is ageing, wrinkles in particular. Like many people, I have a rigid multi-step skin care routine which I follow day and night; I research makeup products to check whether they are likely to highlight the cracks and wrinkles in my skin or leave me with a smooth finish. Recently, I have become paranoid about the vertical line between my brows, and avoid squinting, whilst also trying not to raise my brows too high to prevent horizontal forehead wrinkles. Sometimes I avoid using a straw as they can cause 'smoker's lines' around the mouth, and have begun incorporating 'gua sha' into my routine, the process of using a gemstone (traditionally jade) scraper-tool to smooth the skin. I have even tried sleeping flat on my back for a while even though I find it uncomfortable and difficult to sleep, just because my friend mentioned that the sleeping position is a 'dermatolagist's dream' as it apparently prevents wrinkles.

It was only recently that I began to question why I myself and so many other people share these insecurities when they are so common and natural, and found that it was due to deep-rooted stigma which has been perpetuated by the media and brand marketing for years without many of us even realising it- now, it's all I can see. Every time I turn on the TV or open a social media app on my phone there is an advert selling a so-called miracle product that reverses the effects of ageing. More and more clinics are popping up, providing posters and leaflets boasting innovative treatments and technology which can make us look 10 years younger! Even simply researching different skin features or conditions brings up ads and articles telling us why these things are bad and how we can prevent, hide, or get rid of them. I find this all very frustrating, and quickly feel overwhelmed and bombarded with the onslaught of negative propaganda that surrounds us. I wanted to highlight this narrative of stigma that surrounds us, whilst also depicting the stigmatised skin in a positive light. Therefore, I began planning this project, and proposed the following research question: how could autoethnographic encounters with skin respond to and challenge the stigma surrounding the appearance of ageing skin? In an attempt to answer this question, a main aim of this project is to explore the self-stigma related to the appearance of ageing skin by taking latex impressions of my own skin and through reflective journaling, alongside other works which are to be exhibited.

This blog acts as the reflective journal, a space for me to process how these works and my practice may or may not change the relationships I have with my own skin and the aforementioned stigma.

Please take time to explore this blog, examining each respective work. I encourage you to reflect on how the works make you feel, and acknowledge the relationship you have with your own skin and stigma.