shashasha

“Discharge” is Canadian artist Petra Collins first (and highly anticipated) photobook. Having started her career as a photographer for Rookie magazine, casting agent for Richard Kern and director of short-films and music videos, Collins also became known for designing a bleeding vagina t-shirt for American Apparel and being deleted from Instagram for a bikini selfie that showed pubic hair.

In “Discharge,” which includes images taken between 2008 and 2015, Collins presents an un-airbrushed look at her process of growing up as a woman. Through photographs that often feature intimate and private moments between Collins and her friends, she presents an examination of herself and her body as well as its role in the wider context of a sexualized yet rigidly policed visual culture.
“To all the young girls and women, do not let this discourage you, do not let anyone tell you what you should look like, tell you how to be, tell you that you do not own your body. Even if society tries to silence you keep on going, keep moving forward, keep creating revolutionary work, and keep this discourse alive.” — from Petra Collins’ introduction

The book concludes with an interview between Collins and Tavi Gevinson, moderated by K8 Hardy.