SanityRag
2019
Sculpture: Textiles, paint
300 H x 135 W cm
This piece is the original piece that started the SanityRag series.
SanityRag challenges the attitudes around the taboos of menstruation and the well-being implications it has on women within the South Asian community. This is from the perspective of myself, a British Asian male, whilst also questioning and understanding the topic through the lens of other communities. SanityRag opens up a platform for discussion that traverses themes of identity, well-being, emotions, faith, gender politics, celebration, vulnerabilities and power. This allows for new tensions to be crafted from both constructed and discovered meanings in a way that confronts fundamental questions of where women stand in relation to society, the world and beyond.
The rag is a textile piece and is created from clothes donated from women and men within the South Asian community. I chose this because women in rural areas in developing countries still use old rags from saris and garments as sanitary towels; due to stigma, period tax, unable to access and afford products. Then actual menstrual cycle patterns, which have been anonymously donated by women, are printed on the rags creating a visceral effect to juxtapose feelings of intrigue and discomfort. I used men's clothing as rags to also question the responsibility and the role of men within this topic.