Why Everyone Should Do Vulva Art

Art and craft as a conversation starter.

After two very successful ‘Love Ya Vulva’ workshops at the wonderful Woodford Folk Festival over the new year, I was reflecting on some of the feedback we received. Not only from those lovely souls who attended, but also from volunteers, men, and people who had heard about it.

Apparently the word spread! Lol.

My work and research often precedes me, so when my partner and I rocked up to the artist ticketing gate on Boxing Day, prior to the festival to drop off materials for the workshops, it did and it didn’t surprise me when someone asked ‘Are you Zoë?!’

My dear friend and collaborator, Wendy and I decided to work together somehow. After reuniting at a local poetry night earlier last year, where I shared about sticking a hydrophone up my vagina (as I normally do) and after Wendy had held a craft-a-noon with friends which had taken a vulva-inspired twist, it was time.

And so the ‘Love Ya Vulva’ craft and drawing sessions were born.

Craft gets people talking. Perhaps it’s because while stitching or sewing in a group we are woven into a larger whole, and through osmosis, part of the conversation. Or at the very least, afforded the opportunity to listen in. 

Not only did I witness women of different ages and stages sitting and creating together, I heard them sharing intimate experiences with each other. Asking questions, not out of fear or judgement, but curiosity and care.

Younger women were asking older women things like ‘what is that like'?’ and ‘what do you do about that?’ and other women were finding commonality with their feelings around femininity.

Don’t get me started on traditional ideas of what is feminine!

The main benefit of these types of workshops though, whether that be craft ones like these or my yoni drawing salons, is the power art has to start conversation. 

Not only do I see a sort of permission granted (not that anyone needs permission) to talk about some delicate and personal things, from hearing people share their personal experience so freely invites others to feel a bit freer to do the same.

One comment included that ‘I have never shared these things with strangers before’ and this was also attributed to the safety that Wendy and I created. 

Vulva art isn’t new. Expression of the female genitals in visual form is an ancient practice. And while there are also now many contemporary vulva artists (like myself), it is one thing to look upon artwork created by others, and it is another to create work of your own!

Wendy and I had pussy inspiration all around the workshop. From a framed print of my Vulva Rosa oil painting to photos of other women’s crocheted creations. But the best form of inspiration, as I mentioned in the workshop, is your own flaps! 

Again, it is great to get inspired from other artists work and I encourage it. AND to really lean into the liberation and empowerment possible from this type of work, it is even more potent to be inspired by ourselves. 

Not only did women in the sessions draw inspiration from their own anatomy, I was pleased to see the level of detail from the use of beads, fabric, collage and cutouts to celebrate each and every unique difference. Even grey pubes!

For all the time spent sitting in my bedroom, researching my own bits, listening deeply, drawing and studying vulva shame, I had all but forgotten the power of sharing. I am reminded by these workshops how much I love this work, I love people, I love hearing stories and sharing them. I love creating, whether that be a drawing or a safe container in which magic happens. 

Sure, I have experienced liberation from my own self-exploration and reflection but the empowerment is amplified when others are involved too.

Although this was our first series of ‘Love Ya Vulva’ workshops at Woodford, we are pleased to be planning more throughout the year. And given that both workshops sold out at the festival, we hope to come back again this year!

And maybe even offer MORE. 

Men were asking could they come, mothers wanted to bring children, and we are encouraged to open up sessions to be more gender inclusive.

Let the Vulva Love IN!

Zo xx

For more on my process of researching my vulva, creating a self-loving art practice and deep listening, check out the latest episode of the Listen to Your Pussy Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 

And if you’d like us to hold a ‘Love Ya Vulva’ workshop for you and your community please get in touch at info@zoeawen.com.