An Accidental Feminist Piece
By Jae Lear
A drawing of many lines and squiggles.
Excerpt from Instagram:
“my partner pointed out a couple parallels to this piece and femininity, so let’s go through a few and apply some meaning to these lines i drew to calm me.
*steps onto the soapbox, completely ready to make everyone uncomfortable*
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1. Menstruation! If the red here reminds you of the cycle of terrors a uterus creates, you’re not alone. The mess of it all, the red-stained white, the dark spots, it’s all too familiar for period-havers like me. Recently, my cycle has been thrown off from my grief of suddenly losing a true love. It’s amazing how our bodies speak to us through our menstruation. Let this be a reminder to listen to your body’s signals and the changes it makes, especially when you’re on your cycle.
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2. Labia! So, yeah, the lines kinda look like labia. They also share the quality of all being different, just like vaginas. Not everyone grows up learning about how their body may be much different than the next person’s. I’m proud to be an advocate for self love. Love the body you have, and never let anyone shame you for your natural features.
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3. Pubic hair! The feminist look at this piece includes the typical bash against shaving. Squiggly brown ink lines definitely represent the hair that society would rather not acknowledge. It is enough to be shamed in a swim suit because your pubic hair grows down your thighs and you care not to shave, but some people lose real love connections over an intense preference for the “hairless femme” society worships. Hair on a person is harmless. Remember that.”
Marker on 11x14” food coloring-marbled poster paper.