The Ignored Necessity: Ensuring Safe and Accessible Menstrual Products for All Women

 

"The Ignored Necessity: Ensuring Safe and Accessible Menstrual Products for All Women" Research Findings


Josie Ervin


Found between July 23rd-August 1st, 2024



  • Artists Eira Rojas and Aimee Rubensteen (Owners + curators of exhibition) “Period.” https://www.vice.com/en/article/4x9vnj/period-themed-art-exhibition-wants-society-to-rethink-menstruation 
    • Mixed medium artworks displayed, from various artists, based off of menstruation and other issues surrounding female bodily autonomy. Allowing the space to openly and comfortably address these topics without feeling judgement, shame or discomfort. 
    • Mediums: Photography, sculpture/3D renderings, painting, fabrics (resin)
    • Media/Motive Driven: How does this installation use material manipulation and visual messaging to challenge societal taboos around menstrual product accessibility, as well as the lasting impact this has on the ongoing discussion surrounding women's health?
    • Image:

Artist: Jen Lewis
"Knees Up"
Year: 2013
Dimensions: Not Specified
Medium: Digital Photography (Menstrual Fluid mixed 
with salt water and fresh water)

  • Artist Michelle Owens “Blood Jars & Magic” https://medium.com/the-coil/blood-jars-and-magic-a-short-guide-to-menstrual-art-shauna-osborn-6bd593e215ac 
    • Owens’ method with painting is collecting and using her own menstrual blood with her hands and brushes. Not only is this extremely unusual, she seems to have an intimate feeling by using her own blood, almost feeling more comfortable within herself by doing so. When people get close enough to her art, by attempting to touch or smell, it could leave a powerful connection from the viewer to Owens’ body. That is the ‘magic’ being displayed through her works.
    • Medium: Paint (various types, some acrylic)
    • Method Driven: How can the use of non-traditional mediums, like Owens’ menstrual blood used in her work, be used as a means to both physically and energetically connect with her audience?
    • Image:
Could not find an example of her artwork 
from the article or extensive research

  • Various Artists for Exhibition, “Menstrual Art: Yesterday and Today” https://www.beyondblood.org/post/menstrual-art-yesterday-and-today 
    • The overarching theme of this exhibition is to explore the subjective inspirations for personal and political statements surrounding Menstruation. The ‘Yesterday’ is about the path that feminists have paved for ‘Today’s’ expression of using menstrual blood as a medium (similar to Owens’ method).
    • Mediums: Projections (videography), Performance art, Writing, 3D renderings/sculpture, photography/graphic design
    • Method Driven: How can used menstrual products effectively stun and inform an audience about women's menstruation, while simultaneously attempt to balance this experience as a form of embracing and celebrating human vulnerability?
    • Image:

Artist: Judy Chicago
"Judy Chicago's Menstruation Bathroom"
Year: 1971
Dimensions: Not specified
Medium: Used Menstrual Products and Household Cleaning Products

  • The Womxn Education Fund, “The Billboard Project” https://twpeducationfund.org/our-work/civics-education-and-engagement/billboard/ 
    • Created four billboards, designed by artists and promoting reproductive justice. These were displayed last summer in the Providence area of Rhode Island from April - July 2023 to portray the powerful message of living in a healthy, democratic society for women. 
    • Mediums: Graphic Design/Digital art, Photography
    • Method Driven: How can a billboard effectively influence a diverse audience into becoming more involved in helping women's access to menstrual products, safer bodily autonomy regulations and finer health systems that listen to women's needs?

Artists: Kannetha Brown & Mesa Serabin
"The Billboard Project"
Year: 2023
Dimensions: 10x22 ft
Medium: Digital Photography and Graphic Design via Adobe Illustrator

  • Various Artists, “Roe 2.0” https://womanmade.org/artwork/roe-2pt0/ 
    • In protest of the government overturning Roe V. Wade, more than 100 artists in the Woman Made Gallery (WMG) have contributed to using their art to share their thoughts, experiences and other viewpoints on this issue. Abortion stories are added as they come into the gallery to further exemplify how real and important this is for many women across America. 
    • Mediums: Textiles, painting, drawing, graphic design, collaging and 3D renderings/sculptures
    • Motive/Method Driven: How can the Women Made Gallery, created by Pritika Chowdhry and Jae Green, effectively use artists' voices to advocate for improved access to menstrual products and abortion rights, while fostering open dialogue and facilitating social change through the means of intersectional feminist activism?
    • Image:

Artist: Marcie Brozyna
"Blood Coming Out of Her Lady Liberty"
Year: 2018
Dimensions: 24x12x2.5 in
Medium: Thread and Cotton Menstrual Pad on Burlap

  • Lena Kramaric, “Thanks for the Period” https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-Thanks-for-the-period/350040/8425044/view
    • Kramaric dives into the gratefulness that women can feel when experiencing their menstrual cycle each month. With all of the negativity that is associated with the topic of Women’s Rights, some people don’t realize how grateful women are for their bodies functioning normally. It is a double edged sword but in reality, there can be positives in the many negative feelings surrounding menstruation and debates about pro-life and pro-choice.
    • Medium: Acrylic paint and pencil for the drawings
    • Motive Driven: How can Kramaric's art work use the concept of gratitude for everyday necessities to highlight and critique the challenges women face in accessing menstrual products and promote social justice for women's bodily autonomy rights?

Artist: Lena Kramaric 
"Thanks for the Period"
Year: 2021
Dimensions: 27x39x1 in
Medium: Acrylic Paint on Canvas

  • Icyandsot, “Women’s Freedom of Choice” https://downtownhouston.org/artwork/womens-freedom-of-choice 
    • A mural in Huston, TX in tribute to Masha Amina, a 22 year-old woman who died in police custody in Afghanistan. Since women were stripped of their fundamental human rights, there was a flood to the streets in protest of Iran and Afghanistan’s decision.
    • Medium: Not specified
    • Motive Driven: How can this mural effectively honor the women deprived of their rights and freedoms in Afghanistan and Iran, while also raising awareness about the broader implications of their fight for basic human rights?
    • Image:

Artist: Icyandsot
"Women's Freedom of Choice"
Year: 2023
Dimensions: Not specified
Medium: Not specified (Paint of some kind)



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