A Swedish artist hoping to break the taboo around periods by placing art depicting menstruation on Stockholm’s subway has seen her work branded ‘offensive’ by some who’ve seen it.
Graphic artist Liv Strömquist’s work, which includes felt-tip pen drawings of female characters bleeding during their period, is currently displayed across the city’s 68-mile rail network, which is sometimes dubbed ‘the longest art gallery in the world’.
However, the controversial pieces of art – black, white and red – have sparked a row over whether the subject matter should be shown at all in such a public setting.
Swedish artist Liv Strömquist has seen her hand-drawn portraits of female figures with period blood between their legs spark controversy after they were displayed on the Stockholm subway
The black, white and red portraits feature on the Stockholm metro, a 68-mile train line which has previously been dubbed ‘the world’s longest art gallery’
Appearing at 90 of 100 stations in the Swedish capital, the works, entitled ‘It’s Alright, I’m only bleeding’ sees simple figures drawn with a patch of red to symbolise menstruation, has drawn criticism on social media.
@Wilburyness wrote: ‘Liv Strömquist makes a good point – in the wrong place. I don’t want to see any bodily fluids on the metro – it’s not a #feminist issue.’
Another critic added: ‘It’s not fun explaining to a four-year-old about the red between the legs’.
@LuckyAmori wrote: ‘It is not enough to wear it once a month. Now you should be reminded every time you jump on the subway.’
Many questioned whether art depicting periods should be displayed in such a public setting – with one critic saying that they’d had to explain the images to their young child
However, many others praised the bravery of the artist in talking about a subject that many feel shouldn’t still be taboo in 2017.
@SarMer42 wrote: ‘Sweden is next level progressive. You can find a bunch of cartoons along the subway that promotes normalizing periods and nudity.’
@timinterweb agreed, penning: ‘Thanks for reminding us all to be *un*ashamed of periods. There’s enough stigma in the world. #sweden #metro #art #strömquist’
Strömquist herself explained to Swedish national broadcaster Sverige Radio that she doesn’t want to comment on the controversy.
The 39-year-old said: ‘This discussion always comes when I exhibit my art, because it’s a taboo in society and evokes strong emotions.
Strömquist added: ‘I’ve not commented on the discussion, and it’s not my place to give judgments to my own art… I’m very excited that some people have enjoyed it.’