Vulva Art: Healing and Empowering Women {featured contributor}

By Wrenna Roberston/Show Off Books

Blushing Cherry Blossom Pendant by Jessica Marie

No longer content with the status quo that portrays our genitals as unattractive, dirty, and shameful, the vulva is being given a makeover. And no, not by unethical surgeons who are happy to make a quick buck by lopping off our labia, but rather by a growing number of inspired artists who are not willing to stand by and allow our dominant culture dictate a fictitious reality regarding our genitals.

These individuals recognize that through art, we can challenge many of our society’s deepest assumptions, spark new ideas, catalyze critical thinking, inspire individuals, and reframe reality.

When viewed through the lens of dominant culture, it becomes understandable that so many women have a negative relationship with their genitals. We are sold feminine hygiene products, and sanitary napkins, which serve to underscore the flawed notion that our feminine flows are unclean. Female-oriented products such as Summer’s Eve stress odor control, heightening many women’s fear that their genitals smell badly. Mainstream pornography paints every female body in a similar way, using digital software to remove natural, healthy diversity.

Evulvalution: Playboy Centerfolds a Threat to Women and Children

Women's Genitals Infantilized

Evulvalution is an article reporting on a recent study examining the representation of women's vulvae in 647 Playboy Magazine centerfolds. The research team considered both the representation of the women's genitals as well as their whole bodies. Taken together, the team found that the centerfolds perpetuate a "Barbie Doll" ideal characterized by a low BMI, narrow hips, a prominent bust, and hairless, undefined genitalia resembling those of a prepubescent female.

Vulva 101 {featured book}

Vulva 101 by Hylton Coxwell is a new photo study of the vulva. Featuring one hundred and one vulvae in a large 13" x 11" coffee book, it offers amazing close-ups capturing the stunning beauty of the vulva in all its different shapes and textures, colors and shines. Each page contains three photos, all of the same woman's vulva.

Explains Coxwell about why he made Vulva 101:

For me, this journey began a long time ago. A quest, perhaps it could be called, to find out why so many women held so much shame and were embarrassed at the mere mention of an intrinsically beautiful part of their own bodies. A part that should symbolize life, love and pleasure, but instead is hidden from society and individuals, even from their words and thoughts. It was also a quest to find out what could be done to improve this situation.

Your Man Reminder {featured video}

For a little Friday sexy hotness on a very important and timely issue comes this little video presenting Your Man Reminder, a fun application free on iTunes (also available for Android phones) that will help you remember to check your breasts regularly to prevent breast cancer.



The video is presented by Rethink, a sassy young women’s breast cancer movement: