VAGINAS # 1 - 8
Creating openings into the conversations we aren’t sure how to start and the dialogues we are afraid to have.
THE IDEA
To demonstrate the beauty of the physical body and start difficult conversations about self-love and self-worth.
THE WORK
I created anatomically based 3D relief sculptures of the vulvas of 8 individuals in my life. Each sculpture was created through many layers of built-up paper.
SKILLS DEVELOPED
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Problem-solving
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Time Management
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Paper Sculpture
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Innovative thinking
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Navigating sensitive topics
What does it mean to love oneself? In my work, I am exploring this question, along with the concepts of desire and pleasure, as I investigate its interaction with identity and its relationship to the physical body.
In what ways is self-love intertwined with the process in which we learn about our bodies, our sexuality, and our own value? Through elaborate, tedious processes of creation, I replicate the lengthy and intricate process of personal engagement with self-love and self-worth. I attempt to deconstruct the norms our culture creates surrounding our bodies, our sexualities, and our desires, by giving viewers the opportunity to engage with intimate topics in non-intimate spaces. My art creates openings into the conversations we aren’t sure how to start and the dialogues we are afraid to have.
In this piece, I am exploring the relationship individuals have with their own vagina (and vulva) over the course of their life, and how that might relate to masturbation, or more broadly, to self-love. In order to achieve this, I recreate anatomically-based “portraits” of vaginas, from in-person drawings of important individuals in my life. This intimate process, combined with a brief interview, requires immense trust, but it also allows for an exceptionally empowering moment, in which the vagina shifts from being something hidden and shameful to something beautiful and treasured. This approach stems from my background in Anthropology and my belief that so much can be learned from the narratives of individuals.
These relief sculptures are created from many built-up layers of paper, highlighting the most interesting parts and allowing the viewer’s eye to fill in the rest. Through the repetition of reliefs, I am able to demonstrate that vaginas come in many forms, reinforcing that there is no “normal.”
THE WORK
Each row of pictures below shows both the front and back of one piece, incorporating both a 3D depiction of the individual's vagina and a quote from that person.
Each of these pieces was displayed on a pedestal, allowing the viewer space to walk around and view both the sculpture and the quote. These sculptures were part of the University of Puget Sound 2018 Senior Art Show that displayed the work of 11 other senior art majors as well.
THE PROCESS
1. In-person drawing
First I conducted an in-person drawing with each model. In order to ensure I could later recreate each vulva, I did two drawings. In the first drawing, I just tried to create a general sketch, whereas the second drawing I particularly focused on the shapes in order to imagine how I would later turn this drawing into a 3D sculpture.
2. Watercolor painting
I find that when I create watercolors, I make certain areas more prominent, while also leaving blank space to force the viewer's eye to fill in the rest. In order to create a similar effect in my sculptures, I often first created a quick watercolor to get inspired.
3. Built-up paper
In order to create the actual relief sculpture, I used many layers of built-up paper and Elmer's glue to create shapes coming out of a piece of foam board. Each sculpture contained newsprint, Lotka paper, and rice paper to create a variety of color tones, allowing the viewer to see a bit of my process.
4. Flower petals
Throughout this project, a big focus was to depict the vagina and the vulva as something beautiful. In order to add personality to each piece and to focus on the beauty of this part of the body, I added different colored dried flowers to bring out the beauty of each person.
5. Laser cutter &
CNC Router
Lastly, in order to create the wooden frames for each piece, I used a CNC router to cut each frame out of MDF board. Once each piece was created, I used Illustrator to design the layout of the text, which I then cut using a laser cutter. Once the frames were complete, I was able to easily insert the foam board into the frame.
Department Honors
1 of 2 students to receive Art & Art History Department Honors for this exhibit, as well as overall performance in the department.