Menstruation: From Menarche to Menopause	Pre-Ovulation: The Phase of Growth and Development	Ovulation: Extroversion and Arousal 6	Post Ovulation 1

13 Lunar Months by Susan Dayal

This exhibition is dedicated to Estephanie Marie Ramsden Dayal, Joan May Yin Yee Wo Dayal and John Anthony Charles Stollmeyer.
Thank you for your continuing love and support.

1.    MENSTRUATION; FROM MENARCHE TO MENOPAUSE

From the first time a woman menstruates until this regular monthly bleeding finally ceases some 30 years later, she is connected to a cycle.  This cycle is made up of 2 peaks, one being the opposite of the other.  Menstruation is one of the peaks, ovulation is the other.  Menstruation suggests fertility but not pregnancy.  The menstrual/ovulation cycle is connected to the cycle of the moon.  During the new moon or dark night more women start their menstrual bleeding.

At the start of this phase the basal body temperature drops.  Some other changes are basal metabolism, blood sugar, heart rate, platelet counts, Vitamin A, C and E concentrations, urine volume, pain threshold and skin colour and permeability. The level of the hormone progesterone drops with the disintegration of the corpus luteum.  The new lining cannot be sustained without the hormone.  The capillaries break up causing the uterus to shed the lining that it has been developing over the past 4 weeks.  The uterus becomes a raw wound that bleeds a little.  The average amount of blood lost is 2 ounces.

2.    PRE-OVULATION; THE PHASE OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Menarche signifies the beginning of the journey into adulthood. As well as growing physically, a girl develops life skills during this period of time.  These skills, often referred to as homemaker skills, will become useful in her role as a mother.

Pre-ovulation is the monthly phase when the body is preparing for the release, fertilisation and implantation of the egg.  During this phase also known as the follicular phase the Follicle Stimulating Hormone influences 15 to 20 eggs to mature in each ovary.  Each egg begins to develop a casing and it is this casing or follicle that will start to secrete the first amounts of oestrogen.  As the oestrogen rises the new lining begins to form in the uterus.  Oestrogen also affects the position of the cervix and the fluids it secretes.  It begins to rise and produce the kind of fluid that can sustain the life of the sperm.  

3.    OVULATION; EXTROVERSION AND AROUSAL

The cycle of ovulation, like the cycle of menstruation is ruled by the moon. If the new moon influences menstruation, the full moon influences ovulation. If introversion comes with menstruation, extroversion accompanies ovulation.  

Ovulation refers to the release of the egg or ovum from the ovary.  The oestrogen that is produced by the follicle of the dominant ova raise the oestrogen to threshold level causing the ovum or ova to burst out of the walls of the ovary.  Since the main purpose of all life is to perpetuate its species it is imperative that one sperm has survived in the cervical fluid to fertilise that egg.  It is not coincidence that the "symptoms" of ovulation mimic that of sexual arousal.  The cervical fluid lubricates the vagina and the high soft open cervix allows for more pleasurable intercourse.  The hormonal concoction also plays a part in increasing sexual attraction and sexual desire.

4.    POST-OVULATION; BUILDING THE NEST

Once the ovum has been released, the left-over casing transforms into the corpus luteum.  It is the corpus luteum that secretes the hormone progesterone into the body causing the basal body temperature to rise and the cervix to dry out and drop.  There is some oestrogen secreted from the corpus luteum and together with the progesterone the lining in the womb continues to build and now thickens to as much as 6mm. The lining develops deep glands to secrete nutritive fluid involved in egg implantation. This forms the beginnings of the first nest or cradle for the new life.  The nest is a sacred vessel.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

The Wise Wound: Menstruation and Everywoman Penelope Shuttle and Peter Redgrove
The Penguin Medical Encyclopaedia
Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom Christine Northrup M.D.
Taking Charge of Your Fertility Toni Weschler MPH

13 Lunar Months

Caribbean Contemporary Arts is pleased to host “13 Lunar Months” an exhibition of new works by Susan Dayal, 8 November 2002 - 24 January 2003 in the InterAmericas Space, at CCA7.

Exploration of the female fertility cycle is the element in the new work of this Trinidadian artist, Susan Dayal.  Previous wirework and installations have highlighted her use of traditional wire-bending into a contemporary medium and her use of the medium as a sculptural element and tactile form.

The work in this show addresses the relationship of a woman's monthly cycle to her larger life cycle.  Three years ago the artist began to chart her fertility cycle initially as a form of birth control.  This method involves consistently collecting data and tabulating the information, like a science experiment on herself.  The four phases of the cycle are connected to the four life changes and the work is divided into four sections: “Menstruation - From Menarche to Menopause”; “Pre-Ovulation - At Puberty we develop our homemaker skills”; “Ovulation - Voyeurism and Titillation ” and “Post-Ovulation – Growing the Nest”.

This new body of work includes not only wire work, but painting and textiles, as well as women’s skills, techniques such as sewing, embroidery and crochet.

Dayal has exhibited in 2002 with her husband John Stollmeyer in “A Marriage of Materials” at Sala Mendoza in Caracas Venezuela.  Recent group exhibitions have included “Five Artists, One Breath” at the Gallery 1.2.3.4., “Christmas Exhibition” at Horizons and the 1999 “big River” International Artists Workshop at the National Museum. She has also taken part in the Biennale International Design in France in 2000 along with Lesley Ann Noel, Turunesh Pommel Raymond and John Stollmeyer.

‘13 Lunar Months’ was part of CCA’s continuous programme of exhibitions in the InterAmericas Space at CCA7 from 7th November 2002 - 24th January 2003.

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