Acne Labour

"Adult acne affects 20% of women, often leading to negative self-perception and social anxiety. These affected women invest significant time, money, and mental capacity in an attempt to achieve a ‘clean face’.

Acne Labour is an immersive video installation staged in a distorted bathroom, repositioning skincare from a leisure activity to labour. The video shows women performing their daily routines in front of the mirror, and as they apply products, the chaotic labour processes behind their skin are revealed. A soundscape weaving together the voices of YouTubers describing their experience with acne, accompanies the video.

Rooted in digital community-centred ethnography, Acne Labour aims to enrich the biomedical understanding of this health condition by including emotional, social, and feminist aspects."