Let's talk about sex. About the human reproductive system. About pregnancy, contraception. About reproductive health, about abortion. One forgets the last time mention was made about these issues, much less open discussion about the female form.

Enter 'Who Owns Women's Bodies' (WOWB): a provocatively-named travelling arts exhibition designed to inspire discussion about topics considered taboo, or simply neglected, in some parts of even the most sophisticated societies.

"For the longest time, women have been alienated from their bodies," says the exhibition's promotional literature. "Indigenous cultures and modern day societies have invariably regarded women as simply bearers of children, (and) their wombs as simply receptacles of new life."

In capitalist, patriarchal society, "women are insidiously led to believe that they have to beautify themselves so that they will be loved and desired by men", it adds.

Originating from the Philippines, the exhibit — consisting of paintings, sculpture and installations — has toured seven destinations around the archipelago, and makes its first stop outside the country in Bangkok, where it runs till July 1 at the Chulalongkorn University's Art Centre.

Featuring some 30 contemporary Filipino artists, WOWB is a celebration of women's bodies.

"While policy and governance have instituted reforms for women's emancipation," explains exhibit curator Imelda Cajipe Endaya, "much remains to be actualised in terms of culture and behaviour whether in the home or in the workplace, whether in traditional or globalised contexts."

Lack of respect

In truth, while much has been done for feminism and the liberalisation of women, the lack of respect for women and their bodies remain a plague to society, swept under the carpet or, in some cases, nonexistent.

Faced with public apathy toward lectures, seminars, and other common approaches in raising social consciousness of sexual and reproductive health issues, the idea for this thought-provoking art exhibition was conceived.

Says Rochit Tanedo, a social activist and exhibition manager: "We hope that the works will open up discussion and debate on human sexuality and women's reproductive rights — topics that are mostly forbidden in schools and other arenas."

Often, the shroud of silence over these issues sows fear and repression, exacerbating instead of alleviating the problems.

Said Dr. Rosalia Sciortino, regional manager at the Rockefeller Foundation: "It's not the doing, but the talking about" that many feel uncomfortable with.

Be it self-censorship, or control by the "powers-that-be, the clergy, politicians and medical doctors", women are alienated from their own bodies, she added.

Unwanted pregnancies

"The Catholic church does not condone the use of contraception," explained Tanedo, "so many women suffer unwanted pregnancies, and then go on to resort to unsafe illegal abortions, or to die in childbirth."

The problem, experts say, lies in the "double standard" between men and women in sexuality and reproductive health issues. While society advances closer to gender egalitarianism, the roots of gender disparity throughout history remain beneath the surface.

The conception of this exhibition, said social activist Woranuch Chinvarasopak, is such that "through art, or something the lay people can relate to, people will come (to the exhibit) and want to talk" about these issues.

Woranuch believes that with showing, rather than telling, people can "learn and internalise by themselves" the messages communicated by the artist.

To be sure, the artists were given free rein of their works, resulting in an alluring diversity of themes that were explored.

Artist Agnes Arellano's own experiences under the surgeon's scalpel birthed the intriguing installation, 'Red Carcass' - the figure of a decapitated, disembowelled woman lying helpless on a coffin-shaped bed.

Arellano considers surrendering control over her body, first to illness, and then to medical practitioners, "a violation". "For some time," she said, "it has appeared as if doctors are the ones who own women's bodies."

Attitudes towards sex

Meanwhile, artist Katti Sta. Ana chose to deprecate the objectification of women. "This work is a curio shop of our attitudes towards sex and women's bodies," she said.

In the 'Sex Curio Shop', Sta. Ana uses seemingly innocuous objects — a Barbie doll, pictures of "beautiful" women, and dress-up paper dolls — to show society's depiction of women's bodies.

These images of "beauty" are in actuality a subtle, relentless barrage on our sub-conscious, leading to frustrated women putting their lives at risk to gain approval and be desired, through cosmetic surgery, crash diets, and slimming pills.

Describing the exhibit as "impressive", 19-year-old Trisha Sriratana said: "This is for everyone, both male and female, to learn to appreciate women more."

"There is more to a woman than her body," the student added, "We have brains and emotions too."

Another student, Kunnachart Vipaswong, 20, found some of the art pieces "strange and difficult to understand", but agreed that the visual impact was compelling.

As Sriratana pointed out her favourite exhibit — Alma Quinto's 'Nang Mananog ang Babaylan', an earthily coloured mattress with headboard composed of a scarlet vulva and pinkish breasts with eyes as nipples — she spoke passionately of the "spiritual sensuality through stitching and embroidering", without mention of the allusions to the female body parts.

Said Kunnachart: "I can talk to my (female) friends about everything, like fashion." But about women's bodies? "It is not polite. In study-related matters, yes, but not in normal conversation."