Silvie Briere

written by Rocio Cadena

Silvie Briere’s works of art are imposing. The cropped torsos of women with enlarged and distorted vaginas are intensely mesmerizing. Inspired by Gustave Courbet’s famous “L'Origine du monde” (The origin of the world), Briere painted a series dedicated to exploring the origins and mysteries of the human condition.

Origine de nos mondes, 115

2015

Initially, the artwork may unsettle viewers. Instead of an anatomical representation of vulvas, the painter chooses to draw eyes, lips, mouths and myriad other objects in their place. The results are equally spellbinding and jarring. In a society that usually associates vulvas with flowers and delicacy, Briere’s bolder and provocative approach feels like a confrontation.

Origine de nos mondes, 312

2015

The emotional diversity in the pieces is striking—some vaginas seem sad, others scared and a few unwavering. All these different elements aptly convey the depth, profundity and complexity of women. Viewing Briere’s paintings also bring to mind gender norms and female sexual repression. The abstract and aggressive vaginas seem to be screaming, rebelling against social expectations of any kind. Possibly a nod to feminism.

Origine de nos mondes, 208

2015

Briere alludes to the wounds that women withstand—both in the flesh and in the soul. She produced the works ten years before the #MeToo phenomenon but as we painstakingly learned, women have endured sexual harassment in the workplace and elsewhere since the dawn of time. In the wake of many detailed accounts of abuse and a general infuriating and frustrating feeling toward the injustices caused and perpetuated by the toxic patriarchy, Briere’s work encapsulates some of the collective rage and indignation experienced by women. Her raw work offers solace through the variety of emotions it evokes.

Collage 36

Briere’s art also raises questions. Why is the proliferation of male genitalia accepted so widely in most societies but we tend to find the depiction of the female genitals somewhat taboo?

Jeju’s Loveland in Korea, for example, boasts penis shapes and statues from the entrance to exit. But vaginas and vulvas are barely represented in the entire park. It would be wonderful to feature Silvie-inspired artworks in Loveland, a place that’s supposed to promote sex education and healthy sex lives. One would walk away with a balanced picture of human anatomy rather than strong undertones of gender roles and male superiority.

Petite Robe 60

A puzzling notion is how the connection between vaginas and weakness came to be. The fact that we use the term ‘pussy’ (especially between men) to refer to perceived weakness or displayed fear is ludicrous. After all, women give birth to life. The vagina is strong and elastic enough to let a baby pass through. Art that aims to normalize and celebrate the female reproductive organs, the origin of human existence, should be applauded and encouraged. We need to shift the view of vaginas—and women—as frail and vulnerable to powerful and resilient. Thankfully, artists like Briere are paving the way for altering this perception.

Tree of Life 1

Tree of Life 1