Annelies Hofmeyr is a visual artist living in Toronto, Canada, and describes her work as "conceptual adornment." She combines everyday items, photography, and her own body into visually compelling pieces.
In 2015, she posted a video about "period pants," which was apparently taken down by Instagram, even though she stated in a follow-up post she was clothed, and it seems the "period blood" on the pants was a sculptural element.
This takedown by Instagram prompted Hofmeyr to begin a new ongoing art series called #ThePeriodProject.
The artist began her monthly journey (which sounds like such a cliché in itself, sorry) of exploring the different aspects of menstruation, her personal thoughts on it, and the perception of periods.
Hofmeyr often used sanitary products in her art for #ThePeriodProject. In this piece, which, to me, evokes the emotions of PMS and need to remain silent about one's "time of the month," she used tampon applicators for her crown and even sculpted pads into a bouquet of flowers.
This photograph called "Lining" is a collaboration between Hofmeyr and photographer Suzy Lamont. The subject's body language may be interpreted as a wish to be weightless and free of the burdens caused by her period.
Hofmeyr created a sculptural series involving small objects placed on the side of her head, and she made no exception for #ThePeriodProject.
She even created a creepy Halloween look one month, using pads to make this incredible ruffle collar.
Nothing was too difficult a task for Hofmeyr in this project, as this perfectly delightful period nail art demonstrates.
Arguably the best contribution to #ThePeriodProject came in the form of these incredible period-themed emojis. These NEED to be added to the emoji library RIGHT NOW. RIGHT NOW, I SAY!
On April 8, 2016, Hofmeyr posted her last #ThePeriodProject image, announcing that after over a year of working on the project, she would be concluding it "in its current form."
If you'd like to see more body-positive and period-related art on Instagram, we've got that covered for you:
