For decades, a concrete penis sculpture has stood forlornly on a French university campus.
But today, it was finally joined by its female counterpart – in the form of a giant clitoris artwork.
The grand unveiling of British artist Matthew Ellis’s piece – titled ‘Le Clitoris’ – took place at the University of Poitiers, in western France.
Feminist group Friends of Women and Liberation (LAFL) arranged for the metal art to be installed to illustrate the fight for ‘gender equality’.
The grand unveiling of British artist Matthew Ellis’s piece – titled ‘Le Clitoris’ – took place at the University of Poitiers, in western France today
Feminist group Friends of Women and Liberation (LAFL) arranged for the metal art to be installed to illustrate the fight for ‘gender equality’. Right, artist Matthew Ellis
They hope that having ‘Le Clitoris’ on campus will help to raise awareness of the issue of violence against women.
LAFL said that it intends to host a ‘clitoris party’ after the installation, according to RT.
The group’s president, Emma Crews had wondered how the university ‘could have a giant penis on campus for so long, while the clitoris has only appeared in science textbooks this year’, Penelope Muffat, LAFL Deputy Secretary told FranceTVInfo.
The nearby phallic sculpture – known as the Bitard penis – has been on the campus for around 40 years, and has been vandalised many times
‘Le Clitoris’ was initially going to be installed next to the penis, but Crous, which owns the land, refused.
The phallic sculpture – known as the Bitard penis – has been on the site for around 40 years, and has been vandalised many times.
It proudly took its place in the grounds following a project by the Order of the Venerated Bitard – a student organisation established in the 1920s at the university.
Members call themselves bitards in honour of a mythological creature which had the head of a marten, the body of a carp, peacock feathers and hare paws.
LAFL hope that having ‘Le Clitoris’ on campus will help to raise awareness of the issue of violence against women. The group intends to host a ‘clitoris party’ after the installation