The ‘robovag’ is a vessel in response to Mister Finches Workshop. The vessel acts as a commentary on consent, sexuality and female form.
The object is shell shaped, with a vagina on the front, shaped from string and wire, providing an opening into the vessel.
We were told that our vessel must contain something, and I decided it was to hold rapists, such as Jimmy Saville and Harvey Weinstein, it is upto interpretation whether it holds the men as concept or whether it traps their penises, due to the violent materials of the sculpture.
The vulvic shape is made using wire, string and found scrap metal, including saws, chains, a fork and jewellery, tied together with wire to create an intricate, fragile piece yet difficult to hold. The sharp edges and saw on the back means you must hold the object with care and thought, a message about consent. The earring clit and Pearl's show the femininity, however these are also rusted and old, also with the fork being a reference to food and cooking.
The sculpture itself is transparent, you can see right through it, showing the needed transparency in businesses, entertainment and work with these issues. It shouldn’t be clouded over or covered up.
I made it metal because I didn’t want it to look soft, or palatable. I wanted the ‘robovag’ to look aggressive, deadly, sharp yet still beautiful.
It shows how the vagina is often viewed as scary by both men and women, and how little is taught about it in anatomy, sexuality and in terms of masturbation.
I would like to turn this sculpture into a wearable piece on a belt, with reference to chastity belts, in almost a performance art style of a #metoo movement about consent and sexuality.
But this isn’t even the original meaning, as I speak to more people about it, the meaning changes with opinion and experience. More is realised and developed.
