The Yoniflower calls for a revolution.

Women are not treated equally, their bodies are threatened, their sexuality oppressed and their power denied.  I conceived the Yoniflower project as a way to encourage female empowerment and self-love.

I began drawing Yoniflowers as a way to overcome my own internalized misogyny, which caused me to feel uncomfortable with my body and sexuality. The flowers were a small act of personal resistance (and healing) to wounds inflicted by a patriarchal culture.

Flowers are sexual organs. Ovaries, eggs, and sperm, all refer to botanical parts of a plant. Human sexuality is just as beautiful and natural. Why not treat our own eroticism with the same respect and appreciation that we give to a bouquet of roses?

This kind of self-love is revolutionary in the face of a culture that perpetuates misogyny and sexual oppression.

I’m curious about the sensual relationship between humans and flowers.

Do you think a victorian housewife who painted orchids, knew she was painting sexual organs in a state of arousal? Floral upholsteries and teacups get more interesting when seen from this perspective.

In European culture, flower painting was one of the few art forms that were historically acceptable for women to practice. The Yoniflowers are part of this lineage of botanical illustration.

Vulva-Flower art has defined the careers of many artists such as Georgia-O’Keefe and Judy Chicago. The idea is very old. Yet, as long as there is misogyny in the world, there is a need for images which celebrate the divine feminine.

What began as a private series of watercolors, became a worldwide movement to empower the divine feminine.

The 2017 Womxn’s March catalyzed me.

No longer able to stand the blatant sexism perpetuated by political leaders and media, I screen printed t-shirt and posters to sell online. “Pussyflower Posses” marched proudly in 5 states. This was the beginning of me sharing Yoniflowers with the world. I have never looked back.

In the Tantric tradition,“Yoni Gazing” (gazing upon a real or symbolic vulva) is a meditative practice that can lead to enlightenment.

I invite you to keep that sentiment as you view the Yoniflowers. Whether or not you own a vulva, all of us were birthed by one and for that we own owe profound thanks.

The Yoniflower reminds us to respect female power, and make space for it to bloom.

In addition to creating Yoniflowers, Gabrielle Abbott is an award-winning muralist, painter and multi-media artist. Her murals and chalk drawings are commissioned by clients around the world, including the Hague City Government and Bellevue Art Museum. Gabrielle holds an MFA from University of the Arts London, and currently teaches fine arts at Antioch University, Seattle. For more information, please visit www.GabrielleAbbott.com