At the guts of Motherland, a recent exhibition in Paris which opened last night, is a playful and celebratory approach to the topic of pubic hair – women’s, particularly – that could be very much lacking in most cultural discussion. Across a series of images, models’ pubes are braided, dyed, bedazzled and styled. There’s cotton candy-coloured pubes tied into twin ponytails, pubes fashioned into flames, a rhinestone Marie from The Aristocats. They’re daring images, but all the time fun, and done with a way of humour that brings the ladies in on the joke, slightly than making them the butt of it, as is so often the case with a subject still treated with discomfort, if not outright disgust, by many. 

“In German, pubic hair continues to be called ‘scham haare’ which translates to ‘shame hair,’” says make-up artist Lynski who worked with photographer Guen Fiore, hairstylist Yumiko Hikage and inventive director Nastya Klychkova, on the shoot. “The vagina (its image and the word itself) has been taboo for many of human history. With these images, we would like to contribute to breaking down this stigma.”

The artists that made up the all-women team are friends, in addition to creative collaborators, which helped foster an environment on set stuffed with camaraderie and trust through which a ‘female gaze’ might be cultivated. Through this gaze, bodies are portrayed tenderly and truthfully, intimately without unneededly sexual, vulnerable while still being strong. “Central to Motherland is the feminine gaze – a lens of empathy, understanding and solidarity,” writes Alessia Glaviano in her companion essay to the exhibition. “bell hooks emphasised the importance of community and sisterhood in difficult societal norms and empowering women, ideas that profoundly influence the collaborative spirit and thematic depth of Motherland.”

This sense of sisterhood was palpable on set, to the purpose where Klychkova, who was each creative director and considered one of models, said she felt like they became one organism in the course of the experience. “It didn’t matter if anyone was naked, there was no shame,” says Lynski. “It was a really supportive environment, it felt like essentially the most amazing experience ever.” 

While the intimate hairstyles are likely what’s going to first grab the eye of viewers, ultimately they are only a vehicle through which to convey the identity of the models and a way for the ladies to reclaim their bodies for their very own personal expression and empowerment. The creative team selected the hairstyles to match each models’ personality and their “amazing and robust characters” says Lynski. She and Hikage worked closely to create the looks, for instance, for model Sasha they braided the blonde pubic hair and added a rose to the top of it.

“I feel it shows beautifully how me and Yumiko worked on this amazing tandem and decided together on what looks best,” Lynski says. “All of us just had such a fantastic time and when the look was done everybody within the room would cheer and obsess over it. It felt amazing to be creating something that felt so fresh and vital.”

Ultimately, Motherland stands as a profound reflection on the feminine experience and a press release for embracing one’s body in all its complexity, something which isn’t all the time easy. “Our body may be our ally and support, but many must undergo trials and pain before they an come to harmony,” says Lynski. “Pubic hair is an emblem of maturation and self-acceptance. Often, with its appearance the formation of an adult body begins, and we start the long strategy of understanding, accepting and constructing a relationship with it. For many individuals the trail to this seems to be an extended one. This exhibition is concerning the process and the connection between mind and body.” 

Motherland is showing at Galerie John Ferrere, rue Dauphine 18, 74006 Paris. It’s open from today until September 30. Find more information here.