Natasha Stanley
she/her
The itch that won’t STOP...
‘It’s a daily struggle. The irritation and itch must be channelled so you can just get through the day. The clothes you wear and the fabrics that touch your skin, catching and chaffing the outermost layer. Then there’s the red and the rawness, the itch has gone too far.’
Eczema is a skin condition that affects 1 in 10 people. A form of dermatitis, it is caused by an irritant or allergen that causes skin inflammation. Anxiety and depression are triggers to eczema flare ups and cause relentless itching and sleepless nights.
‘The itch that won’t STOP...’ is a body of work that invites the viewer to experience the world of an eczema sufferer. Through sculptural forms and textural surfaces, attention is drawn to specific areas where the condition is most triggered. The forms envelop the body in these areas to act as a protective outer layer to the delicate epidermis. It questions the characteristics of readily available materials and whether they are compatible with the skin’s anatomy.
Through this work I wish to share my experience and self reflection of the overwhelming and consuming need to itch and hopefully viewers who have suffered similar experiences can identify and relate.
Eczema Paper Forms, made using various paper folding techniques
Eczema Paper Forms, made using various paper folding techniques
Eczema Paper Forms, made using various paper folding techniques
Eczema Paper Forms, made using various paper folding techniques
Eczema Paper Forms, made using various paper folding techniques