Venture into the vaginal self-love of the ‘Vulva-verse’ (Photos)

The Voyage to the Vulva-verse Art Show at Yong Siak Street. Photo: Carolyn Teo/Coconuts
The Voyage to the Vulva-verse Art Show at Yong Siak Street. Photo: Carolyn Teo/Coconuts

A self-love campaign, eight artists and lots of lips.

The Voyage to the Vulva-verse Art Show celebrates the female sex organ with works by eight Singapore artists interpreting vulvas using food, renaissance paintings, euphemisms, and sex symbols in their alluring art.

Their aim? Getting people to talk more comfortably about their intimate regions.

Now through Sept. 22, slip into an intimate art space on ​​Yong Siak Street that features smaller-scaled but loud pieces including papercut art and soundscapes from artists Amanda Tan, Ashley Yeo, Hee Suhui, Tan Sze Yan, Kimberly Tan, Kristal Melson, Polina Korobova, and Yana & Jun.

“[The artwork] reflects the viewers’ personal feelings about the vulva, it can be however you interpret it to be,” Singapore-based artist Hee Suhui told Coconuts yesterday. Her “in your face” oil canvas painting drew inspiration from items of her mother’s vanity. 

“Other Faces” by Hee Suhui atop a vanity table. Photo: Carolyn Teo/Coconuts
“Other Faces” by Hee Suhui atop a vanity table. Photo: Carolyn Teo/Coconuts

The show, organized by Spa Esprit Group and beauty brands Strip and Two L(i)ps, features intricate works such as an embroidery piece by artist Polina Korobova, who gained fame by walking Singapore’s streets doused in glitter. 

Her work, inspired by Marie Antoinette (the movie, not France’s last queen) and covered in gems, tassels, ribbons and a donut charm representing the clitoris, is how she thinks of her own vulva — which she got a good look at to use as a reference.

“Polina” by Polina Korobova. Photo: Carolyn Teo/Coconuts
“Polina” by Polina Korobova. Photo: Carolyn Teo/Coconuts

The most vibrant of all go to Kristal Melson’s reimagined 1480s painting The Birth of Venus. Blue fabric drapes from behind the painting to signify beauty, love and sex icon Venus emerging from the sea.

Equally captivating works filled the room including illustrations by Malaysian artist Tan Sze Yan, who used cake, cabbage and cherries to represent ingrown hairs, inflammation from hair removal and the suffocation of impossibly tight pants. In another room corner hangs an illustration of sex symbol Marilyn Monroe in her iconic white dress shaped like an orchid towering over buildings.

“The Rebirth of Venus – Into the Vulva-verse” by Kristal Melson. Photo: Carolyn Teo/Coconuts
“The Rebirth of Venus – Into the Vulva-verse” by Kristal Melson. Photo: Carolyn Teo/Coconuts

Test your knowledge of the female anatomy at an anonymous polling station where quizzes aiming to correct misconceptions about the vulva and educate visitors about body image, self-care and intimate health. 

“The Voyage to the Vulva-verse campaign aims to create open and honest conversations surrounding the vulva and intimate care, which is important if we want to continue breaking taboos and changing perspectives. We want to highlight the vulva as a natural and beautiful part of the body, one to be seen as a positive celebration and not one of shame and embarrassment,” said Cynthia Chua, Spa Esprit Group founder, in a news release.

Admission is free for all.

More photos:

“All Around Us” by Tan Sze Yan. Photo: Carolyn Teo/Coconuts
“All Around Us” by Tan Sze Yan. Photo: Carolyn Teo/Coconuts
“Part Your Lips” by Kimberly Tan. Photo: Carolyn Teo/Coconuts
“Part Your Lips” by Kimberly Tan. Photo: Carolyn Teo/Coconuts
“Flora Fauna” by Yana & Jun. Photo: Carolyn Teo/Coconuts
“Flora Fauna” by Yana & Jun. Photo: Carolyn Teo/Coconuts
“CARE” by Ashley Yeo. Photo: Carolyn Teo/Coconuts
“CARE” by Ashley Yeo. Photo: Carolyn Teo/Coconuts
“Drip” by Amanda Tan. Photo: Carolyn Teo/Coconuts
“Drip” by Amanda Tan. Photo: Carolyn Teo/Coconuts

FIND IT

Hatch Art Project

7 Yong Siak Street, Singapore 168644

Open 10am to 7pm daily

Other stories you should check out:

Get egg all over your face when Eggslut cracks into Singapore
Get stimulated with these clitoral vibrators now sold in Singapore stores

 



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