למרות שכל אחת יש פות שנראה שונה לגמרי מהפות של האחרת – כולנו מכירות רק צורה אחת של איבר המין הנשי: חלק לחלוטין, עם שפתיים חיצוניות עבות וצמודות שממוסגרות בצורת V סמטרית, וכמובן - בצבע ורוד. זו הצורה שנחשבת למושלמת והיא היחידה שמקבלת במה: בבובות, באיורים אנטומיים וכמובן שבעולם הפורנו. מפה לשם, רבות מאתנו מסתובבות עם תחושה איומה שמשהו אצלן לא בסדר שם למטה.

את התחושה הזו בדיוק מעוניינת המאיירת הילדה אטלנטה לשנות. לפני כשנתיים היא יזמה את "גלריית הפות" – מיזם אינטרנטי חינוכי, בו היא מעלה איורים ריאליסטיים של איברי מין נשיים מכל הגדלים, הצורות והצבעים, ומנסה להנכיח שיח שעדיין סובל מהסתרה ובושה. עכשיו היא רוצה להפוך את הגלרייה הווירטולית לספר ממשי, כזה שאנשים יוכלו לעיין בו בחדרי המתנה לרופא או לספר, לשבת איתו בבית עם הילדה או לתת כמתנה מלאת הומור לחברה.

בספר יהיו 500 איורים של פותות שונות ומשונות, וגם סיפורים אישיים, פרק על האנטומיה הנשית, תשובות לשאלות נפוצות וניפוץ מיתוסים – וגם מדריך איך לצייר פות, כינויים לפות בשפות שונות וציטוטים היסטוריים חיוביים על איבר המין הנשי. "כל איבר מין הוא מיוחד ויפה – בדיוק כמו הידיים,  האף או העיניים שלנו", אומרת אטלנטה, שמקווה שהספר ייתן ביטוי וייצוג לסוגים שונים של ואגינות וינרמל את השיח סביב הנושא הלא מדובר.  הספר יצא לאור בחודשים הקרובים, ובינתיים אפשר להציץ וגם לקנות מוצרים אחרים של הפרויקט. אנחנו כבר לא יכולות לחכות.

 ובינתיים, אנחנו מזמינות אותך למצוא את עצמך בין כל הפותות האלה – משהו פה נראה לך מוכר?

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This is a vulva portrait of a lovely person, together with the words she wanted to share with you: “For a long time I was quite self conscious and squeamish of my vulva.  I didn't know what was 'normal' or what any one else's looked like. It was all a bit of a mystery down there for me. I got more and more uncomfortable with my vulva when it came to pubic hair, my period, my sex life and unexpected changes that sometimes occurred. Not long ago I read a book called 'Manhood: The Bare Reality' by Laura Dodsworth. This book is a series of 100 photographs of penis's alongside personal stories of what each persons penis means to them. The diversity was amazing and the stories so insightful. Reading the book made me consider more my relationship with my own body and my vulva, as well as wondering what a vulva equivalent of the same book would look like. I think it's so so important for people to have these conversations around such taboo topics as they are often so engrained and connected with a persons body confidence and how they see themselves and relate with their own body. Seeing The Vulva Gallery has been really inspiring for me. It makes us see that each vulva is a beautiful and unique artwork in its own right. It takes away the secrecy and the embarrassment and celebrates openness, honesty and diversity. Vulvas are our first soft, nurturing, creative, powerful, mystical beautiful gateway into this world and owning one is something to be proud of. I am now full of self love and admiration for my vulva.” . . Thank you for being part of the gallery ♥️ Read more stories at: thevulvagallery.com/stories ✨ . . . #thevulvagallery #vulvaportrait #watercolorillustration #humananatomy #labia #respecteachother #embracediversity #shareyourstory #personalgrowth #empowerment #empathy #love #loveyourself #loveyourvulva #hildeatalanta

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“What should my vagina smell like?” Every vulva has its own scent. Bacteria, your hormonal cycle and even the food you eat have an influence on the smell of your vulva and vagina. Due to the slight acidic pH of around 4.5 your vulva may smell a bit sour (sometimes this smell is being compared to yoghurt). A slightly musty smell is also very common, as your vulva may get a bit sweaty due to its warm surroundings. Around your period your vulva may smell a bit metallic. Also sexual activity changes the smell of your vulva/vagina, due to the vaginal lubrication and (possibly) sweat. If you have sex with a person who ejaculates inside you, their semen may also change the smell of your vagina. These sex-related odors are temporary and should change back within a few days. And all these smells are perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. Not all odors are healthy; keep an eye on sudden changes in smell or texture and colour of your discharge / cervical fluid. If your vagina smells strongly like fish, or if you notice a different smell combined with itching, burning or irritation, it may be a sign of bacterial vaginosis or (if you’re sexually active) it could be a sign of an STD. In this case it’s best to consult a medical health provider  . “But shouldn’t I wash inside my vagina to keep it clean?” Nope. There are many different products available for cleaning your vagina, but these are not necessary. In contrary: your vagina doesn’t need cleaning inside. Your vagina has the magical ability to clean itself, and doesn’t need extra products to make it cleaner. The vagina has a wonderfully balanced system, and using cleaning products inside your vagina or using a vaginal douche will remove the healthy bacteria your body needs to naturally clean your vagina. You may also disturb the pH balance of your vagina by cleaning it, and this may cause irritation, yeast infections and even bad smells. So keep in mind: your vagina cleans itself and doesn’t even need extra products to make it cleaner. So yay for vaginas! ✨ . . . #thevulvagallery #sexualhealtheducation #vulva #vagina #selfcare #humananatomy #pubichair #bodydiversity #genderinclusivity #hildeatalanta

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CW: Chemotherapy 〰️ . . During the treatment of cancer, individuals may experience hair loss due to chemotherapy. Chemo medication is a very powerful medication that attacks rapidly growing cancer cells. Unfortunately, these drugs also attack other rapidly growing cells in your body — including those in your hair roots. Chemotherapy may cause hair loss all over your body — not just on your scalp; and also the pubic area may be affected by this. As much as an individual wishes to keep their body hair; it’s not always something they can freely choose. Keep in mind to always be respectful when commenting on the vulvas I’m depicting here, as there are many reasons an individual may not have their pubic hair. Whether it’s a personal choice, or hair loss due to illness - it should never be up to you to place insensitive comments about it. Always be respectful  And much love to al of you fighting cancer and struggling with the side-effects of chemo ♥️ . . . #thevulvagallery #chemotherapy #cancer #chemo #chemohair #cancerwarrior #sexualhealtheducation #vulva #labia #humananatomy #bodydiversity #supporteachother #respecteachother #watercolorillustration #hildeatalanta

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This is a vulva portrait of a lovely person, together with the words she wanted to share with you: “I always had a good relationship with my vulva until I started sharing it with others. Words cannot describe the feelings of disgust and shame I had. I always thought I had a 'fat vulva' - I would hide it with loose clothes otherwise I was convinced people would think I had a penis. My labia were so long that they got tangled and my partner's would struggle to get through. My hair was always thick and rough which often caused chafing. I ignored my vulva, always, unless I was gritting my teeth through the embarrassing moments when my abnormal body would betray me. Moments I was suppose to be enjoying. That was until I had a daughter. She was born with very unique labia. Upon the hospitals regular inspection after birth her labia were noted as deformed! My question was "deformed compared to what?" Her body still functions perfectly, she is not in pain or suffering. She is perfect just the ways she is. I'm determined that she will know that we are all unique. That different is not deformed. I'm sharing my vulva with you, it's hiding under a generous mons pubis, robust protective pubic hair, covered in scars and blood. I'm not gritting my teeth anymore.” . . Thank you for being part of the gallery ♥️ Read more stories at: thevulvagallery.com/stories ✨ . . . #thevulvagallery #commissionedportrait #vulvaportrait #watercolorillustration #humananatomy #labia #respecteachother #embracediversity #shareyourstory #personalgrowth #empowerment #empathy #love #loveyourself #loveyourvulva #hildeatalanta

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(Traducción al español abajo) ✨ So, why 'vulva' instead of 'vagina'? ✨The reason for using the word 'vulva' instead of 'vagina', is that the vagina is only the internal part of the genitals. The vulva consists of the external part of the genitals: the mons pubis, the inner labia and outer labia, the clitoris and the clitoral hood, the vulval vestibule, urinary opening, greater and lesser vestibular glands, the vaginal opening, the pudendal cleft, sebaceous glands, the urogenital triangle (anterior part of the perineum), and pubic hair. Let’s stop reducing the genitals to just its internal structure, when there's so much more to it than that!  Knowing your anatomy can be helpful in understanding and appreciating your body. There are so many awesome parts! ✨ . . Traducción al Español: Entonces, ¿por qué "vulva" en vez de "vagina"? La razón para ocupar la palabra "vulva" y no "vagina" se debe a que la vagina corresponde solo a la parte interna de los genitales. La vulva consiste en la parte externa de ellos: el monte de Venus, los labios internos y externos, el clítoris y el capuchón del clítoris, el vestíbulo, la abertura urinaria (uretra), las glándulas vestibulares mayores y menores, la abertura vaginal, la hendidura pudenda, las glándulas sebáceas, el triángulo urogenital (parte anterior al perineo), y el vello púbico. Dejemos de reducir los genitales a tan solo su estructura interna, ¡cuando existe muchísimo más que solo eso! Conocer tu propia anatomía puede ayudarte a entender y apreciar tu cuerpo. ¡Hay muchas partes maravillosas en él! (Gracias Javi por la traducción ) . . #thevulvagallery #vulva #humananatomy #biology #labia #vagina #clitoris #pubichair #youarebeautiful #genderinclusivity #positivity #bodypositivity #bodyneutrality #sexualhealtheducation #selflove #watercolorillustration #hildeatalanta

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This is a vulva portrait of a lovely person, together with the words she wanted to share with you: “Growing up a teenager, I thought the appearance of my vulva didn't matter: the lover I hoped I was gonna meet was going to love me before ever seeing me naked, so my vulva didn't have to be beautiful because "He will accept me as I am, right?", I thought.  Then I had a terrible first boyfriend who said my labia were too long, among other things in my body that seemed wrong to him. But I didn't listen to him. Years later, I watched porn for the first time and I was like "What?! all these women have tiny labia!" And I got why mine were criticized at first. And then it hit my feminist side. Let me tell you: people will project all sorts of things on you. Their fears. Their insecurities. Their standards. Our patriarchal society doesn't like women with strong features. They want tiny labia, tiny feet, tiny noses. They don't want no Serena Williams's body. They want women to look fragile and delicate. But all women, thin or thick, tiny or long labia, can be strong, and empowered, and beautiful. Never let anyone make you think that your vulva is abnormal or ugly. Never ever. Diversity is beautiful, not the standards in people's heads or magazines. I always loved my vulva despite what people said and I hope you do too!” . . Thank you for being part of the gallery ♥️ Read more stories at: thevulvagallery.com/stories ✨ . . . #thevulvagallery #vulva #vulvaportrait #watercolorillustration #humananatomy #labia #respecteachother #embracediversity #shareyourstory #personalgrowth #empowerment #empathy #love #loveyourself #loveyourvulva #hildeatalanta

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This is a vulva portrait of a lovely person, together with the words she wanted to share with you: “For years I completely removed the hair from my vulva. Initially I was asked to do it by my partner at the time, however it became habit and I continued the practice after we broke up.  I’ve recently started to let my hair grow back and I feel so good about it! I have a beautiful woman in my life who loves my vulva unconditionally, which has given me the confidence to embrace my natural hair growth and keep her in whichever way makes me most happy :)” . . Thank you for being part of the gallery ♥️ Read more stories at: thevulvagallery.com/stories ✨ . . . #thevulvagallery #commissionedportrait #vulvaportrait #watercolorillustration #humananatomy #labia #respecteachother #embracediversity #shareyourstory #personalgrowth #empowerment #empathy #love #loveyourself #loveyourvulva #hildeatalanta

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This is a vulva portrait of a lovely person, together with the words she wanted to share with you: “When I examined my body more closely at primary school age, I was able to talk to my mother about my vulva. It was never a taboo subject for me. But when the first pubic hairs started growing, pretty soon I started to shave myself, influenced by the media. Also, one of my ex-boyfriends insisted quite a lot on it. Fortunately, my partner today doesn't care (and neither do I any more). Sometimes I shave, and especially in autumn and winter I often let my hair grow for a while until it starts annoying me.” . . Thank you for being part of the gallery ♥️ Read more stories at: thevulvagallery.com/stories ✨ . . . #thevulvagallery #vulvaportrait #watercolorillustration #humananatomy #labia #respecteachother #embracediversity #shareyourstory #personalgrowth #empowerment #empathy #love #loveyourself #loveyourvulva #hildeatalanta

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“What is the white stuff I find in the crotch of my underwear every day?” This is a combination of vaginal fluid and cervical fluid. This discharge serves an important function, for example, keeping the climate inside your vagina healthy, carrying away dead cells and bacteria and keeping your vagina moist. The vagina has a self cleaning system which helps prevent infections. The discharge you may find daily in your underwear is usually clear to milky white-ish, and is a combination of fluid made by glands around the vaginal opening (Bartholin’s glands) and cervical fluid. The amount, color and odor of discharge varies from person to person and also fluctuates throughout your menstrual cycle. Sexual arousal may also change the fluid you find in your underwear, both in amount and in odor. It’s important to keep an eye out for sudden changes in amount, color and smell - especially if these changes are paired with vaginal itching or burning. This may indicate an infection (for example a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis, or an STI like gonorrhea or chlamydia) and calls for a timely check-up with your healthcare provider ✨ . . . #thevulvagallery #humananatomy #sexualhealtheducation #vaginaldischarge #cervicalfluid #vulva #labia #pubichair #celebratediversity #genderinclusivity #watercolorillustration #positivity #hildeatalanta

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