The Womanhood Collection embraces sexuality and explores the female form with ‘ABSTRACT VAGINA STUDIES’. Ready made pockets can be molded and contoured or new creations machine stitched. Let us explore these versatile 3D sculptures in terms of structure, texture, and colour.
ABSTRACT VAGINA STUDIES – STRUCTURE
RECYCLING COAT POCKETS – Pockets are essentially cavities to be remolded, the contours held in place with a stitch to form the vagina and labia. ‘Fur Pocket’ is exactly as it describes – the pocket of a fur coat contoured to form the sexually explicit image of a vagina. The depth of pocket and fabric determines the contouring process. Silk is pliable, creating deep folds within the cavity. The outer fur holds it’s shape and the natural nap delivers a sensuous quality.
CREATING A CAVITY WITH PADDED STRUCTURE – The vagina lips in ‘Gangbang’ were created from two long ‘tubes’ molded by hand and padded to create the contoured folds within the sculpture. Satin has a beautiful sheen, creating a play of shadows across the undulating surface. The flat interior creates the ‘cavity’, a flamboyant patterned fabric embellished in beads and sequins representing the reproductive system.
CREATING A 3D SCULPTURE – The structure of ‘V and A’ was created from small silk flowers, individual petals machine stitched and turned out to form unique creations, hand stitched together. Strength within the combined structure ensures the sculpture maintains an upright position with petals anchored to the flat background beneath. Because the structure is created from individual parts there is a natural depth within the contouring, creating deep shadows as light plays upon the surface. I used my own hair to line the vagina cavity, creating a nest effect.
ABSTRACT VAGINA STUDIES – TEXTURE
Sensuous fabrics such as silk, satin and fur possess different qualities and this determines how they can be manipulated into forming shape. The pink fur from ’16 Pockets’ was created from a fur boot, effective because the surface texture possesses long strands with additional metallic threads. But the dense fabric does not contour well and simply holds the cavity shape. But for the textural quality this would simply be an open cavity or ‘bag’.
ABSTRACT VAGINA STUDIES – COLOUR
A colour palette can be used to express emotional content, evoking pleasure and excitement in the viewer. ‘Ecstasy’ is a vivid portrait of orgasm expressed through colour, form, texture and embellishment.
Colour is used to express experience in ’16 Pockets’, a nod to the brutality of the sex industry. The lighter the colour palette the higher the price tag, with innocence and vulnerability a precious commodity. Power and control of men over women will continue to exist as long as men see women as sex objects to be used. The purple vagina here describes degradation and abuse in contrast to the pleasure garden of ‘Ecstasy’. Sexual experiences determine the relationship we have with our bodies, whether that is pleasure or pain (or both). And, of course, we have the choice to be purely functional and non sexual. Whatever we choose to be, the vagina is indeed a glorious creation!
Visit the gallery link in Abstract Textile Artist | Ccunningham-textileartist-woman (wixsite.com) for more images of ABSTRACT VAGINA STUDIES from The Womanhood Collection. Enjoy!
