I was happy to see this story come across my various social media newsfeeds yesterday. It made me smile.
Vulva artist transforms Colorado women’s vaginas into body-positive art
Jamie McCartney, creator of The Great Wall of Vagina, casts American women for new work and says of the message behind his famous plaster casts: ‘You’re normal. Whatever you’ve got down there, leave it alone’
“There’s nowhere to go for information [on the vulva], so someone can easily be persuaded for surgery … If you look at medical texts of genitals, they’re not very broad, so TGWV presents 400 women and what you see is that someone in there’s going to look a little bit like you,” said McCartney. “It’s effective in combating the messages that are coming from plastic surgeons, saying ‘You’re defective if you don’t have a child-like [vulva].’ Only about 5% of the casts meet that ‘perfect’ ideal. I don’t think 95% of women are defective. That’s not possible.”
I don’t have a lot to add to this story besides “YAY!”
Go have a look at the great wall of genitalia here.
On the one hand, do what you choose with your genitals. If there’s ever a place to apply the underpants rule, it’s here. On the other hand, the pressure on women to conform to a single beauty/body ideal by any means necessary has clearly gone too far. It’s nice to see some resistance.
And part of why I don’t have much to add is that I’ve said it all before. Interested in issues about the quest for perfect labia and cosmetic surgery? Read my past posts:
- Further thoughts on camel toe, Barbie crotch, and the quest for tidy bodies
- The day I discovered the dreaded camel toe
- Is the “Toronto Trim” the solution to women’s cycling discomfort?
Hello you have quite a nice blog there!! Im a teenage girl trying to be healthy but with all the temptations procastinations and obstacles I cant seem to be improving do you have any advice please?
Reblogged this on a whiskey love.
It’s just appalling that we need artists and activists to stave off the pressure to disfigure every feature of women’s bodies to suit some whimsical notion of fashion. Thanks for the post. BTW, loved the Judy Chicago pics– I wrote a paper on her work in an art history class about a million years ago. Maybe it’s time to look at her work again for a blog post— hmmmm…
While it is sad that we need artists and activists’ help, I find their work so valuable. Also, I wrote a paper on The Dinner Party a while ago. I remember being really intrigued by Judy Chicago’s artwork. 🙂
salam santun dari kami http://wp.me/4Ciil
What a fascinating art project.
This is so excellent. I want a wall of normal sized stomachs and plump limbs please ><
nice art work there
Reblogged this on Healthyliving.
That’s beautiful:) https://elitetantric.wordpress.com/