Herstory is OURS @herstoryisours - Tumblr Blog

Herstory is OURS

The work for Herstory is OURS has developed through engagement between BoM and students on the MA Arts and Education Course at Birmingham City University. It has been a unique opportunity to show how artist educators can share projects with the public that respond to the BoM exhibition Herstory and its focus on anatomy and womxns reproductive health. Throughout this project, we have had invaluable conversations with BoM’s staff, Engagement Producer Chloe Lawson and Curator Louise Latter, who originated and researched the exhibition. Neelam Heera, the founder of Cysters, shared her work with us and talked about how barriers to reproductive health can be found in the health care profession and through cultural beliefs. Artist Malikah Holder discussed with us the process of making her timeline commission for the show and its connection to concerns in her own work. The resources developed from these conversations are rich and demand engagement, come and get involved and let us know your thoughts.

#herstoryisOURS

Shared with Dropbox

Let’s hear from my friends in china

If you wish to watch more click below:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/oc945e9h7kegq1o/Let%27s%20hear%20from%20my%20friends%20in%20China%20.mp4?dl=0

by artist Xu Li

#periodfyi

Period:FYI

In the Asian subcontinent, the subject of menstruation has always been surrounded by taboos and myths alongside sanitary issues. There’s a society of culture which doesn’t allow womxn to speak openly about sex and the female reproductive organs which leads to many misconceptions about the female body. Restriction on open dialogue prevents womxn from gaining knowledge of female reproductive health and sourcing of sanitary products.

Artist educator Fatima Amin and artist Xu Li have collaborated an investigation into menstruation experiences of womxn past and present through their own voices. Due to the current pandemic the world is dealing with, Li’s investigation looks at the coronavirus spread in China in February this year. More than 60% of front-line womxn are employed and the growing consensus of anger and upset has come to light due to the lack of sanitary and hygiene products being distributed. She has conducted an audio recording of interviews with womxn sharing their concerns which Li has translated with text.

Amin’s investigation was directed to the taboos and myths circulating during their personal ‘period’ experiences of womxn from the BME community in Birmingham. The initial idea was to have a video installation of womxn having a conversation about their experiences around taboos and myths. Due to the corona pandemic, the investigation took a different engagement process with womxn anonymously, through a survey which brought out some interesting and vulnerable dialogue that womxn have openly voiced. Amin has used a wide range of typography in a manner of a playful dance to share some very worrying concerns that womxn and young girls have experienced. The age ranges of the females that took part ranged from 13 to 65 years of age.

#periodfyi

These 7 Days - By Joanne Emms

We are unsteady this week and it’s hidden to many.

We can face each day with stress and anxiety.

We are unpredictable.

Some days we are up and some days we are down.

We are antisocial.

We are only seeing how we feel.

We clash with others, we are sensitive but we are only human.

#healing

by Fatima Amin

#periodfyi #period #taboos #myths #periodhealth

Black Bodies - Sam Cook and De’anne crooks

#blackwomxn #nhs #healthcare #nhsart #blackexperience

Public text artist and educator, Sam Edwards collaborated with performance and visual artist- educator De'Anne Crooks to engage with the gynaecological experiences of Black womxn. Initially, Sam and De'Anne hoped to take the conversations surrounding reproductive health for womxn in the West Midlands and project them in public spaces to infiltrate communities and force an important conversation to take place. The current pandemic lead the artists down a different route and so after talking with 5 Black womxn from their local community, Sam and De'Anne developed this video piece that highlights both the experiences of Black womxn and voices the challenges that the NHS face in supporting marginalised bodies with their healthcare. The sharp blue and white palette against audio that explores the raw testimony of a Black womxn presents one key theme: the underfunded and uninvested healthcare system deserves better, Black womxn deserve better and we as a society can all do better.

#blackwomxn #nhs #healthcare #nhsart #blackexperience

This artwork is part of Herstory is OURS project for BOM Lab in Birmingham, UK.

My artwork is about how women can celebrate their shape through words. I have made POSTCARDS that you can send to your body like it is a person.

The postcards ask: What would you tell to your body if it was a person? I would like you to email me your response, and let me know what your body says, you can send your response to: [email protected]

#bodyshape

Overview of my artwork at BOM

I started with the idea that is important to have a connection with your vulva. After doing some research I discovered that self-love and self-care are not that promoted, or if it is promoted is in a way that mass media wanted to be. From this, I started to look more in what we tell to our bodies. "You’re ugly" "I don't like my boobs" "I don't like my nose" "I don't like my body".

But what happens in our mind, perception and life if we learn to say a kind word to us? Is difficult to speak with our bodies when you don't see anything good at it, but I discovered that it is easier to speak about something when it is imagined like a friend.

I created the @bodyshape friend that you can tell what you feel and to celebrate it like a real person and it will respond to you with a postcard with a design and your word. Take a moment to breath. Breath with all the body Give LOVE to the BODY Accept it exactly as it is. If you want to join my project email me your words for your body to at [email protected] and I will send you a virtual postcard.

#bodyshape

About

Join Artist Educators Dottie Abner and Rebecca Smith for GynoARTical Education! This is a series of resources which explores anatomy and femxle reproductive health. Through art engagement we have created a playful and relevant way to have conversations around vulvas, vaginas and gynecology. Looking at the narratives around this topic and delving into them using textiles art to create a positive outlook. This change of narrative allows us to provide a safe space for creation and conversation through a multiplatform publication. We want to promote diversity and confidence through giving power to the unempowered, allowing womxn to be proud of their differences. To speak up and to speak out to empower the silenced!

Chat - Create - Celebrate

#gynoeducation

Resource

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1RjgvAWj495slgLGvCqBvz8S91zXd16Uc

#gynoeducation

Dottie Rug Resource

Access here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=15lmaJgN5cCInBiYUKMi8cYkl14z7olnw

#gynoeducation

Resource Book

Access Here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lCHzGr9DTahYzU6VZO6UDj8wgwEdkf7j

#gynoeducation

Video documentation found here

Herstory Herbology workshop video documentation

Also found here:

https://www.helenflahertyart.com/herstory-herbology-workshops

#herstoryherbology

Herstory Herbology

Performative ritualistic video piece to coincide with Public engagement through live recorded video workshops herbology and the body. Methodological research on steaming with herbs, the body, smell, sensory experience, learning through herbs, bath tea bags, shower bags, healer fear and the witch craze. Craft as a form of protest and change. Educating through the art of herbology connecting art and education. Collective performance through live workshops; The audience being participants in a visually sensory performance where each new herbology mix will be personal to each individual, sent to their door via post and reviews/thoughts sent back to the artist.

WHY ARE WE TABOO?

Herstory Herbology Workshop Guide : simplebooklet.com

Herstory Herbology downloadable resource: https://simplebooklet.com/herstoryherbologyworkshopguide

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1LZ-WiSyBUi87f4VfvY0SLvYIrzK-TUuv

https://www.helenflahertyart.com/herstory-herbology

#herstoryherbology

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

Herstory is OURS