Photo Credit:Dipen Maharjan

Kathmandu,

Untold Period Stories, a community that brings the topic of periods onto a judgmental free table through storytelling, hosted a live art workshop themed “Beyond Blood” on 29 May, Sunday in Gallery LA, Bauddha to mark the Menstrual Hygiene Month 2022.

The event was co-hosted by For the Menstruators, Operation Period, and Gallery LA. This event aims to create an inclusive space where personal expression is paired with art and advocacy. Seven artists, including Anamika Gautam, Anisha Maharjan, Deepak Thami, Ishan Pariyar, Namrata Singh, Sabita Dangol and Sudar Lama painted live art based on menstruation.

Similarly, the attendees of the event also created art following the respective theme.The event started with the storytelling of Krisha Niroula followed by the poetry recitation by Aarju Parajuli and Sundar Lama. Likewise, Louise Nothomb, one of the co-founders of Untold Period Stories, shared the importance of encouraging people to express themselves without fear of being judged. 

Pooja Bista, one of the co-founders of Untold Period Stories said, "Every time we see menstrual art, the main theme is blood or cultural injustice surrounding menstruation. We want to push the artists and also people to go and see beyond the idea that menstruation is only blood."  She further added, "Menstruation is a cycle, and within that cycle, there are so many spaces, experiences, and perspectives that can be expressed through art. We want the artists and attendees to express themselves honestly. We want them to bring the observer of the painting into their shoes,considering the non-menstruator experience too."

The event promotes expression, advocacy, and safe spaces to dissolve feelings of shame, stigma, embarrassment, and guilt created by taboos.