For me, sensitivity means a deep capacity to react, perceive nuances, and feel emotions intensely. Though aware of my hypersensitivity since childhood, I long viewed it as a burden and a weakness. My strong emotional reactions were often seen as exaggerated, leading me to suppress my feelings, mistakenly believing it was a sign of weakness. However, these emotions are an essential part of who I am.

To better understand and accept myself, I embarked on a journey of introspection. I sought ways to express my inner world, finding a powerful metaphor in photosensitive film. Just as film captures invisible images to be developed in darkness, my sensitivity records every emotion and detail. I then translate this through handwritten reflections combined with abstract shapes and colors, giving tangible form to my invisible sensitivity.

Translation of the texts : 

The word « sensitivity » carries the idea of an aptitude to react more or less intensely to something.

If we take the term « hypersensitivity », it implies a kind of exaggeration, a pejorative connotation. The first time I heard this word, it was used to put me down.

For a long time, I thought that feeling things strongly was harmful.

It was much later that I realized this trait isn’t pejorative at all, and that it can mean, among other things, having an increased awareness of your surroundings and of details.

I still sometimes feel overwhelmed by my emotions, whether they’re positive or negative.

At times, I wonder if I’m still hypersensitive, or if I’ve repressed that inclination and a part of myself along with it.

Sensibility also implies an aptitude or facility for something. »

It’s likely I gravitated towards artistic activities, perhaps without even realizing it, to channel this sensibility rather than completely repressing it.

This project is part of the Sensitive Surfaces residency of Les Achantes, resulted in a zine collection that you can purchase here.