Off the Record! New Limerick exhibition aims to end stigma around menstruation

ON INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day, an exhibition in Limerick will explore menstruation and the number of changes that can happen to a woman’s body.

Organised by the collective ‘Women From the Inside’, the exhibition, ‘A Bloody Good Thing’ will celebrate menstruation, as well as the “natural and beautiful process” that women’s bodies go through.

On March 8, the collective will showcase real and unedited bodies from women of “all shapes, sizes, backgrounds and ethnicities.”

Made up of photographer and film director Clara Planelles, visual and lens-based media artist Maria McSweeney, and visual artist Clara McSweeney, the collaborative project explores what it means to be “a woman living in the 21st century in Limerick city.”

Speaking of why they chose to highlight the topic of menstruation, Clara explained: “We wanted to do the exhibition on something we haven't really seen much of before.”

As she struggled with not having her period for five years, Clara pointed out: “I feel like it’s something really precious for women. When I didn’t have them for years, I felt like I was less of a woman, because I didn’t have normal periods.”

According to the photographer, menstruation is a topic that people feel uncomfortable talking about. With ‘A Bloody Good Thing,’ the collective hopes to open up a conversation, about something that shouldn’t be taboo.

“Every time I say the word menstruation, it feels wrong, or I wonder if I should say it? I was talking to one of my friends about periods, and she said she didn’t want to hear about it. But, you need to know about your own body, to be more in touch with your body,” she explained.

Through a series of eye-catching photographs, the collective used fruits to refer to nature. From cherries to pomegranate to grapefruits, the exhibition paints a vivid picture of what women feel.

Speaking of the visual aspect, she pointed out: “I wanted to make periods more aesthetic. It portrays the pain women feel, because menstruation is painful. But at the same time, how it’s something precious. The intention behind the exhibition is to stop the stigma.”

As “women are in this cycle all the time,” Clara wants people to talk about menstruation.

“I want us to talk as women. If we talk about it, it’ll help with our understanding of it. We should even talk about how we don’t like our bodies, how we are always blaming ourselves and thinking we’re not enough. It’s about feeling more powerful,” she stated.

The opening of A Bloody Good Thing will take place on March 8, in the People's Museum of Limerick. From 6pm, there will be refreshments, guest speakers and live music.