“…In an unfailingly mischievous manner, Sarah Maple uses narrative artwork to challenge traditional notions of religion, identity and the societal role of women.
Her artwork never fails to shock; her latest piece Menstruate With Pride (right) is no exception.
Surrounded by a horrified and disgusted crowd, Maple stands centre stage – a proud woman menstruating in public.
It’s an interesting and bold statement; clearly Maple is an incendiary feminist.
But the painting also airs a deep societal secret that menstruation is – and must remain – taboo.
What better way to understand the meaning behind Maple’s artwork than to ask the artist herself?
“Initially I didn’t want to make work about menstruation because I thought it was a bit of a cliché.
But as I was looking more into the idea of women and shame, I felt like I couldn’t avoid it!”
Maple laughs. “I think there’s a phenomenal burden of shame on women from word go.
When I started my period I was absolutely horrified, I felt it was humiliating.
I didn’t tell my mother for 3 years -
- I felt I was letting her down…”
(cont..)
go t source/story>>>
