Zu viel Welt auf einmal // Too much world at once — Kateryna Kakotkina

An artistic exploration of autism in women, focusing on the complexity of sensory perception.

No one sees the work behind my stillness: absorbing every light, voice, scent, thought. My brain doesn’t filter; it processes it all. Every day, I carry more than is visible, just to survive. And yet, to others, I am only a quiet, sensitive, and tired person.

Autism is diagnosed far less often in women. It is also diagnosed much later. This is because research and diagnostic criteria have long been based on male traits. Many women mask their traits in order to meet social expectations. This can lead to exhaustion, anxiety, depression, and an unmet need for support.

For a period of three months, I translated sensory, cognitive, and social stimuli into a crochet practice. I worked with found and collected materials, fragments that others would have thrown away. Neurotypical minds filter out what neurodivergent minds notice, collect, and process. The tactile aspect was central to the work: the textures of the materials, their resistance and the way they felt in my hands while I was crocheting.

This project explores the sensory experiences of autistic women, where every touch, sound, and movement has a deep impact. It reflects the daily challenges of neurodivergence, and the strength required to function in a normative society. It translates complex neurological and social realities into a visual form.