Motherland: This exhibition is a playful celebration of pubic hair

At the heart of Motherland, a new exhibition in Paris which opened last night, is a playful and celebratory approach to the subject of pubic hair – women’s, in particular – that is very much lacking in most cultural discussion. Across a series of images, models’ pubes are braided, dyed, bedazzled and styled. There’s cotton candy-coloured pubes tied into twin ponytails, pubes fashioned into flames, a rhinestone Marie from The Aristocats. They are bold images, but always fun, and done with a sense of humour that brings the women in on the joke, rather than making them the butt of it, as is so often the case with a topic still treated with discomfort, if not outright disgust, by many. 

“In German, pubic hair is still called ‘scham haare’ which translates to ‘shame hair,’” says make-up artist Lynski who worked with photographer Guen Fiore, hairstylist Yumiko Hikage and creative director Nastya Klychkova, on the shoot. “The vagina (its image and the word itself) has been taboo for most of human history. With these images, we want to contribute to breaking down this stigma.”

The artists that made up the all-women team are friends, as well as creative collaborators, which helped foster an environment on set full of camaraderie and trust in which a ‘female gaze’ could be cultivated. Through this gaze, bodies are portrayed tenderly and honestly, intimately without unneededly sexual, vulnerable while still being strong. “Central to Motherland is the female gaze – a lens of empathy, understanding and solidarity,” writes Alessia Glaviano in her companion essay to the exhibition. “bell hooks emphasised the importance of community and sisterhood in challenging societal norms and empowering women, ideas that profoundly influence the collaborative spirit and thematic depth of Motherland.”

This sense of sisterhood was palpable on set, to the point where Klychkova, who was both creative director and one of models, said she felt like they became one organism during the experience. “It didn’t matter if anyone was naked, there was no shame,” says Lynski. “It was a very supportive environment, it felt like the most amazing experience ever.” 

While the intimate hairstyles are likely what’s going to first grab the attention of viewers, ultimately they are just a vehicle through which to convey the identity of the models and a way for the women to reclaim their bodies for their own personal expression and empowerment. The creative team chose the hairstyles to match each models’ personality and their “amazing and strong characters” says Lynski. She and Hikage worked closely to create the looks, for example, for model Sasha they braided the blonde pubic hair and added a rose to the end of it.

“I think it shows beautifully how me and Yumiko worked in this amazing tandem and decided together on what looks best,” Lynski says. “We all just had such a beautiful time and when the look was done everybody in the room would cheer and obsess over it. It felt amazing to be creating something that felt so fresh and important.”

Ultimately, Motherland stands as a profound reflection on the female experience and a statement for embracing one’s body in all its complexity, something which isn’t always easy. “Our body can be our ally and support, but many have to go through trials and pain before they an come to harmony,” says Lynski. “Pubic hair is a symbol of maturation and self-acceptance. Usually, with its appearance the formation of an adult body begins, and we start the long process of understanding, accepting and building a relationship with it. For many people the path to this turns out to be a long one. This exhibition is about the process and the relationship between mind and body.” 

Motherland is showing at Galerie John Ferrere, rue Dauphine 18, 74006 Paris. It is open from today until September 30. Find more information here.