Jamie McCartney – Great Wall of Vagina

The controversial ‘Great Wall of Vagina’ created by British artist Jamie McCartney has made its way to London for a long awaited debut show.

In his latest exhibition McCartney, has set out to change female body perception through his art. Of his latest project McCartney explains; “beyond being a visual spectacular, this sculpture is intended to have a profound social purpose. In displaying these casts of real women’s genitals, I hope to decrease women anxiety about whether they are normal. Our society needs to grow up with regard to these issues and I’m certain that art has a role to play here.”

Thought provoking and visually imposing the 9‐metre wall features individual plaster cast panels taken from 400 different women’s most intimate parts. The sculpture, which took 5‐years to complete, has attracted global interest. Volunteers for the wall ranged in age from 18 to 76 and included mothers, daughters and identical twins.

The quirky title is intended to attract attention, but the purpose of the artwork is profound. McCartney, who is never shy of controversy and constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and what is acceptable, has put great thought in his latest project.

In his quest to change female body perception, Jamie has attracted another social effect. The reaction people have to ‘The Great Wall.’ “Most people will never have been confronted with something like this before, a common reaction is uncomfortable laughter followed by furtive glances and then a more in-depth look as they become more comfortable.”

After all, staring at hundreds of women’s genitals in public is outside most people’s comfort zone, but it gradually generates debate in those who engage with it. Explaining “what is important is that it stirs some emotion in the viewer”

The show also features his ‘Physical Photography’ series and other sculptural works, demonstrating his huge range, never afraid to push the boundaries as he tackles persistent and prevalent subjects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Skin Deep exhibit will be on display at the Hay Hill Gallery until early June. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the works Jamie McCartney, an artist whose experimentation and socio-political relevance, place him at the forefront of avant-gardism.