glassworks

Being neurodivergent in a neurotypical world is challenging. While I struggle to meet societal expectations, it’s easy to be hard on yourself when you don’t follow the norms. 

I was diagnosed with ADD at a young age and took medication from eight to eighteen years old. At first, I was ashamed and I believe the medication took a lot away from who I am: especially my creativity. I spent years without making art and having no interest in creating. Over time I learnt the tools I need to stay organised and on top of work. During my Fine Arts degree, it was sculpture in particular that kept me going and calmed down the never-ending whirlwind of thoughts in my head.

In the final year of my undergraduate degree, I turned toward my neurodivergency as a source of creativity with glasswork. Embracing it instead of trying to suppress it, has led to expressing myself in art that is free and rich in concept. In coping with neurodivergency I had wanted to tightly control all aspects of my life, but I had to let go of these restrictions. 

In my final graduate exhibition, I discovered a new part of myself and an acceptance of what I had perceived as flaws within neurodivergency. The unexpected movements, the hidden pathways, and the refusal to be controlled in the kiln of the glass sculptures spoke to me as an artist and encouraged me to work through the shame of struggling with daily tasks. With this understanding, I was gentler with myself in procrastination, time management, and thought patterns which my neurodivergency affects in daily life. While these are drawbacks of ADD, there are also many positives. When I am passionate, I focus my time and energy on my interests and am ambitious in my creativity and work.