Definition of a monster: ‘Monsters exist in opposition to normality.’ (Jess Zimmerman, 2021)

As a young teenager Wingrove suffered with extremely painful periods and as a way to deal with them, her only given option was to go on the pill. Fast forward 10 years she decided to come off the pill due to her family history of breast cancer. This was a choice she deeply feared as the trauma of her periods in the past still lingered, with an added worry created by society. It is known that people are scared of the unknown and with a universal lack of knowledge about the female anatomy and periods, people have been left to fear their menstrual cycles and all that comes with.

‘Hormonal’ is a word that has historically been used against people with a menstrual cycle, as a way to negatively comment on ‘irrational’ behaviour. Wingrove was left fearing her natural self, questioning whether she would become ‘high-maintenance’ for her partner due to society’s outlook on menstrual cycles. Growing up she was continuously taught to hide her period, both the products and conversations, as well as being told to use medical products such as the pill to cover it up. Periods fail to be acknowledged which leaves anyone with a period outcasted, as if they are not normal, like a monster.

(Don’t be) Afraid of the Monster is a direct response to Wingrove’s feeling of fear and dread in the build up to her first period in 10 years. The abstract self-portraits have been designed to capture the awkward and messy bodily movements her menstrual cycle causes. These shapes represent the stages of her monster, and she encourages people to face their inner monsters that exist, to not fear them and let them be seen.