Menstruation is one of the oldest and most prevalent taboos in cultures across the globe. Periods may be considered unsanitary, disgraceful, and downright immoral, if they are considered at all. More often, people pretend that periods do not exist: we shove tampons in the hidden back corner of a drawer and we mumble a white lie about “the flu” when we’re really in bed with crippling cramps and back aches. Even when we do talk about periods, we do so cryptically, saying it’s “that time of the month”, and because of “mother nature’s gift” we’re “on the rag”.
However, all this is changing. Artists who are fed up with covering up for menstruation have decided to embrace it. Approaches range from serious to hilarious to matter-of-fact, but all accomplish the common goal of challenging the way people think about periods.
Artist Jen Lewis first realized the aesthetic potential of menstruation when she switched from tampons to a reusable cup. Since then, she has been composing pieces in the toilet bowl and photographing the swirling designs with her partner Rob. The project, called “Beauty in Blood”, has been received very positively, and her works have been featured in notable exhibits. More of her work can be seen here.
Zanele Muholi also creates visual art using menstrual blood in her exhibition, “Isilumo Siyaluma”. This Zulu phrase has been loosely translated to “Period Pains”. Muholi created the project to express her deep pain over social and political tragedies in her native country, South Africa, especially the idea of “curative rape” that is sometimes committed against lesbian women to “correct” their sexualities. In her statement, Muholi explains that the blood represents brutal mistreatment, especially of black lesbian South Africans. Each piece represents with a victim of one of these hate crimes.
In contrast, Dr. Carnesky uses humor to address the subject in her show, “Dr. Carnesky’s Incredible Bleeding Woman”. This theatrical extravaganza dubs itself a “Menstrual Mystery Tour”, and takes a fresh perspective on sword-swallowing and magic tricks, revolving around the topics of menstruation and feminism. These feats are crazy, but menstruation is normal. The all-female cast has no qualms about sawing someone in half and putting her back together, and approaches “uncomfortable” topics with the same fearlessness.
May Ling Su is a writer and poet who brings menstruation to the mainstream by sharing haikus on her website and twitter with the hashtag, #onmyperiod. Some of the highlights include the following poems.
People have always used art as a means of expressing protest and change. These particular artists are starting conversations about menstruation, and bringing what was previously considered a private matter into the public sphere. Frank conversations about menstruation are critical, not only to fight the stigma and shame associated natural bodily functions, but also as a step towards increasing access to menstrual products, improving menstrual health, and striving for equality.
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