Papaya Parade
Project Brief:
The brief was to develop a pro-choice abortion campaign, and India's first archive of abortion stories, for the women's rights organisation, Re Right Foundation. The campaign was made as a part of the organisation I work for called Artists Anonymous in collaboration with Shruti Ghosh.
Project Goals:
The aim of the campaign was to create a social media campaign called 'Papaya Parade' in order to educate people on abortion rights and facts as well as give a voice to the abortion stories of many women.
Instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/papaya.parade/?hl=en
Why is it called 'Papaya Parade? Not only does papaya represent a uterus through physical shape but it is also a common myth that Papayas cause abortions in India. It is also known that in many Pro-Life areas of the world where abortions are not allowed by law, Medical students use papayas to practice abortions.
My Responsibilities: As a part of this campaign, I not only helped curate the campaign, brand it, manage the social media, manage the artists who would illustrate abortion stories, but was also responsible for conceptualising and creating a 6 part illustrated series on Papayas in different Indian art forms as well as some other illustrated posts for the Instagram account. These illustrations are now being used in abortion workshops conducted by Re Right Foundation.
Initial Social Media Posts:
The images below, depicting papayas as uteruses were for two posts giving facts about Papayas in relation to abortions as well as urging people to talk about papayas
The image below is for a three part post explaining the various reasons why the campaign was called 'Papaya Parade.'
Indian Art Forms X Papaya Parade:
Kalighat:
A Kalighat painting inspired illustration depicting a bull looming over papaya. Kalighat Painting is often used to depict social evils. In Hindu culture, the bull is a symbol of masculinity, darkness, male sexual energy, ignorance, delusion, and aggression. Similar forces have tried to control our bodies ad shame us for our choices. But we refuse to let their deluded perceptions define us. It also represents the ignorant way a women's body and uterus is looked upon. This is the first illustration from the Indian Art Forms series.
Warli:
Warli is a tribal art form which often depicts day to day activities revolving around the symbolic tree of life. Here the image shows the coming together of individuals to celebrate our bodies and normalise talking about abortions.
Gond:
Gond art is usually a celebration of our experiences with nature and through this illustration, we are celebrating our papayas which are gifts from mother nature and unique in themselves.
Pattachitra:
The ancient art form from Eastern India, has been a medium to narrate mythological stories and folktales. Through this illustration, we reclaim the language of art to empower women, tell real life stories and dispel the myths surrounding abortions. The image depicts a deity, proudly holding up the papayas, lifting them up off the ground.
Madhubani:
A common theme in Madhubani paintings is fertility shown by fish in abstract and often mirrored forms. Here the fish have been replaced by papayas to show that a uterus means more to a woman than fertility and a woman is more than her reproductive value.
Miniature:
A cobra around a man tells of his courage in miniature paintings, this illustration brings a twist with a defiant, bold woman holding her papaya with pride. She is unafraid of the lurking dangers posed by oppressive notions of control and choice.
The instragram page:
