I JUST GOT MY PERIOD

Height (cm): 50

Width (cm): 100

Depth (cm): 2

Materials: Acrylic, gouache and pencil on canvas

Date Completed: June 2024

An intuitive work about womanhood & mixed pain/shame/joy/power of existing in a body constantly in flux & - at present - a site of constant suspicion & monitoring. Traditionally menarche (first blood) is celebrated with a ritual & those bleeding encouraged to honour their ‘winter’ as an invite to rest & isolate throughout their lives. It’s a sacred time when you’re close to the divine. Each time is a new coming of age. This was erased. Now there’s taboo in speaking on menstruation & reproductive health in deep & meaningful ways."

"Being on the coil, I experienced only occasional spotting but had huge hormonal highs & lows. My mental experience was worse w/o a physical release & clear marker. I couldn’t place myself in my cycle & the lack of self-knowledge invalidated me. It was completed in 2 sittings. I listened to That Woman’s ‘Hymn For A Woman’ before & during. Guided to an earthy, bloody, feral colour scheme & fluid strokes. The mare suggests desire to reconnect w the inner wild woman."