The Luteal Phase

I began my research development in the menstrual cycle early on in my masters, deciding to focus on the second half - the luteal phase - where the premenstrual symptoms occur. Societal conditioning has led women to ignore their menstrual cycle until something goes wrong with it. This can be consequentially dangerous as it creates a barrier between people who menstruate and the way their bodies function. Not only that, women’s capacity for a more complex nervous organisation for relating bodily experience to mental experience has been historically ignored and untapped. 

This series uses knitting as a tangible representation of the tension held within the luteal phase. Knitting, a process of interlocking loops, mirrors the interconnectedness of bodily and mental experiences during this time. An often-overlooked period of deep introspection and heightened sensitivity. The piece embodies the shift between inner turmoil and self-reflection, shedding light on the necessity of acknowledging and working with this phase rather than dismissing it as mere discomfort. By visually capturing this experience, I hope to challenge ingrained perceptions and encourage a deeper engagement with the cyclical nature of the body.