Tide
Breaking taboos and a female voice against exclusion
“Tide…” brings reflections from several women from Poland and Brazil on the experience of menstrual bleeding and its social consequences. Women of different ages share their visual impressions of this collective experience, which transcends location, race and social status.
Despite civilisational development, menstrual blood is still socially stigmatised as impure, and the experience itself is shamed. In many cultures, women during this phase are isolated, while in others, the lack of access to period products forces teenagers to leave school.
Additionally, the portrayal of menstruation often serves as a tool of patriarchy for controlling and patronising women.
Menopause, in Western culture, is synonymous with exclusion, perceived uselessness, and unattractiveness. Older women are no longer seen as wise matriarchs; they are instead moulded into the image of witches or hags.
Body, blood and the elements: Personal records of the female experience
The visual impression ranges from inspired by the elements of the natural world: lava, lunar cycles and water, to critical views on the personal relationship with one’s body and period. The artworks include collages, archive-based works, three-dimensional pieces, interventions on canvas, and screen prints. The variety of the techniques highlight the multifaceted aspects of this universal female experience.