D&AD New Blood Awards 2020

  • Sorcha Tolland

For the D&AD New Blood Awards Competition, I chose to tackle a brief set by Teen Vogue and the Case For Her. This brief encouraged young creatives to raise awareness on the issue of ‘The Orgasm Gap’ between genders, and start a conversation about vaginal sexual health, wellness and pleasure.

I chose to start an open conversation with women and non-binary people about sexual pleasure and wellness to end the stigma and shed light on a topic that is often considered taboo. Photographing them whilst we had these conversations in amongst suggestive imagery and shapes in the plants, and illustrating over the top of some of these photos with more plants and experimental lettering.
“Sex Education.... often leaves out important information about our bodies and sexual and vaginal health. We’re expected to figure it out on our own, often trough watching bad porn, googling, and experiences with partners that we wish we could erase from our memories.” - Devra Ferst, Teen Vogue.
Due to government advised social distancing at the time of the photoshoot in early March, and then the lockdown being put in place, I was unable to photograph all participants and interview them in person. This was solved by using their insightful answers submitted online, and drawing a character in their place.
These two illustrations are a small example of how people who want to participate in the conversation, but maybe are not comfortable getting photos taken could still take part. If this project were to be taken further, more of these green characters could be used to bring to life quotes from people all around the world.