Aches is a one-minute mixed-media animation that explores the intimate link between pain and the act of creation. Centring on the repetitive gestures of four artists, the piece visualizes how artistic practice, often romanticized as purely expressive, can also generate physical strain. Through rhythmic, action-driven imagery, Aches creates a loop where motion leads to pain, and pain becomes inextricably linked to the creative process.
The inspiration for this work began with a fascination with the word ache, a term that, to me as a second-language speaker, captures both the subtle persistence and quiet violence of daily physical discomfort. Repetitive strain injuries are common in many fields, but for artists, the lines blur: art isn’t just a job, and stopping isn't always an option. Pain, then, becomes something endured, absorbed, even normalized in the name of passion.
Aches brings that pain to the surface, offering a visual expression of what often remains hidden within the body. By externalizing discomfort, the animation prompts artists to reconsider the unspoken toll of their work. It serves as both a recognition and a gentle intervention, urging creative practitioners to listen to their bodies and challenge the notion that suffering is simply part of the artistic life.