At the tip of the hand

“At the tip of the hand” explores the nail salon as a space of labour and social exchange. The act of two women holding hands, applying polish, and waiting for it to dry is more than a beauty ritual. It is a moment of care, but also a reflection of the social expectations placed upon ‘cultivated’ bodies and the invisible work behind them. Beneath a flawlessly coated nail, unseen bodies persist—serving, tending, remaining out of sight. For this research, I gathered fragments—internet memes, news articles, literary excerpts, historical paintings—piecing them together into a small collage. Through these disparate elements, I sought to trace the tensions and sensations embedded in everyday gestures.