Artist Statement

               “The Lie of Virginity” is plastered on the first page of the zine with a drawing of a uterus in the symbolism of a flower. When growing up, it is common for little girls to hear their parents tell them that if they were to lose their virginity, they would be deflowered. This instills the ideal that after having sexual intercourse, your body and mental state will never be the same. In modern times, it is important to recognize the simultaneous meaning of a flower representing the beauty and wonders of the uterus: its ability to create children, body confidence, and connection with partners.

               The first and second page depict gender neutral geometric bodies in different positions exposing their unique bodies. I decided to alter the second part of the paragraph to emphasize that, “sex is intersectional, unique to each individual, and not heteronormative.” The word “BOX,” is in a warped style to create the feelings of dissociation that the patriarchal ideal of virginity inflicts onto society. 

The definition of “virgo” is displayed to introduce the beginning of the concept of virginity in Ancient Greek society. Virgos were a symbol of a goddess that was not tempted to medal in the problems or presence of men. The words independent, inspirational, and resilient are separate from and larger than the default text to draw attention to the fact that being a virgin was powerful and up to the woman to decide her sexual definition. Through an online program called Electric Zine,  I utilized the pattern spray to first create a line drawing of a Greek goddess to sporadically place the art. The variety of placement represents the chaotic beauty and self-liberating feeling when a woman is able to define herself through her own ideals. 

               In the Medival Times, virginity had a huge impact in shaping a woman’s value based on her status of sexual intercourse in  society. If a woman were to lose her virginity, it would be deemed unholy.  This concept solidifies the idea that the concept of virginity has created the idea that the value of a woman is based on a man’s actions on woman autonomy. It was common for hymen check tests to occur to “check” a woman’s virginity status. In modern times, the most common places to find “hymen checks:” are in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Doctors would perform this procedure “two finger” method to check if the hymen was intact, and check the elasticity of the opening. Medical experts have come out that it is inaccurate testing.  “Unholy” and ``inaccurate”  were capitalized and had a color change to create emphasis. A drawing of the virgin mary is in the background to convert the religious impact on the concept of virginity being cemented into society.

               Different conversation bubbles hold unique facts that relate to virginity. Modern times has altered the way women view virginity; instead of being ashamed, most women strive to lose their virginity in highschool as a “rite of passage”. Some even concluded that they would rather be labeled as a “slut” than a “virgin” because there is negative stigma around a person that has not explored their sexuality fully. Although there was a redirect in ideals on virginity, it remains toxic to women, as virginity continues to label a woman’s worth. The prominent issue at hand is that women are defined by the actions of a man still in the twenty-first century. Using the pattern spray, I placed  a scratchy lettering of the words “men” and “whore” to create the tone of frustration that women have, as whatever they are to do with their sex life, it is deemed as unacceptable. 

 

Sources

 

Defining Virginity Sutter Health Palo Alto Medical Foundation https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/teens/sexual/defining-virginity  

What is virginity testing ? Why is it used, and what are its potential effects? International Society For Sexual Medicine. https://www.issm.info/sexual-health-qa/what-is-virginity-testing-why-is-it-used-and-what-are-its-potential-effects/ 

I’d Rather Be a Slut: An Analysis od Stigmitized Virginity in Contemporary Sexual Culture. Aja Renee Corliss, Bard College. https://digitalcommons.bard.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1167&context=senproj_s2017 

Looking after your Vagina, Just the Facts. https://www.justthefacts.co.nz/about-my-vagina-looking-after ]

What Is Virginity and The Hymen, Planned Parenthood. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/teens/sex/virginity 

Sex positivity among men: what does it look like? Maya Khamala, Wickedmmm. https://wickedmmm.ca/blogs/news/sex-positivity-among-men 

 

Resources 

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/get-care 

https://www.brook.org.uk 

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/safer-sex 

https://thepleasureproject.org 

https://www.justthefacts.co.nz/about-my-vagina-looking-after