Memoirs of My Vulva: An Exploration of Female Genitalia as Figures in Autobiographical Graphic Narratives
This doctoral research embarks on a multidisciplinary inquiry into the representation of female genitalia within the realms of feminist visual arts and autobiographical graphic narratives. Anchored in Simone de Beauvoir’s Le Deuxième Sexe (The Second Sex) and drawing upon the phenomenological perspectives of Husserl and Merleau-Ponty, the study investigates the dynamics of women's lived experiences. By critiquing traditional psychoanalytic views of Sigmund Freud and engaging with feminist theorists, the research transcends phallocentric limitations to encourage a diversity of women's subjectivity. Within an autobiographical methodology, my practice actively engages in feminist discourse, offering a critique of gender inequalities and a reinterpretation of feminine symbols through a feminist lens. The work challenges patriarchal narratives by exploring the vulva not as an object of eroticisation or stigma but as a subject with autonomy and agency. Through personal and reflective theoretical approaches, the research crafts a narrative that bridges individual experiences with collective feminist issues, employing visual symbolism, feminist theories, and phenomenology to navigate and articulate the complexities of feminine identity. This research also re-evaluates the role of comics (graphic narratives) and employs them as tools for social critique; it advocates for their acceptance within the art establishment and their potential to challenge societal norms and enrich feminist discourse within gallery settings. The performative drawing act, described as an evolving research component, serves as a dynamic interface for audience interaction, facilitating a dialogue that challenges ii female objectification and engages with feminist themes. This aspect of the study exemplifies the fluid and responsive nature of performative art, inviting continuous conversation and exploration of identity, objectivity, and subjectivity. In conclusion, this doctoral thesis interrogates the representation of female genitalia in art and culture while seeking to redefine it, advocating for a transformative dialogue that challenges existing taboos and patriarchal norms.
Lu, Meichen <https://ualresearchonline.arts.ac.uk/view/creators/Lu=3AMeichen=3A=3A.html> (2025) Memoirs of My Vulva: An Exploration of Female Genitalia as Figures in Autobiographical Graphic Narratives. PhD thesis, University of the Arts London.
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