Caoimhe Stopes
she/her
Sudor
My work focuses on my personal experience with primary hyperhidrosis, defined by “faulty” nerve wiring which causes excessive sweating for unknown reasons. Through 'Sudor'— a technical name for sweat— I intend to communicate the impact that societal standards can have on a person.
Through a storyboard, I share my experience: starting with fear, moving to acceptance, and ending with confidence. I created a multi-sensory experience, including smell and moving-image, to encapsulate the audience in my feelings of overwhelm. I utilise techniques such as flameworking glass, indicating the feeling of isolation, glaze to show physical wetness, and glass slumping to represent the dent I’ve made towards embracement.
I aspire to spark empathy and curiosity, to prompt the audience to understand how negative connotations of society can affect someone. I hope to empower people to accept what cannot be controlled and inspire a shift in how we view ourselves— and each other.
Research
Flameworking process