Menstrual Cup Art Tackles Sustainability, Women's Rights

“When people look at it they go, ‘is it a flower? Or is it a condom?’” Hong Kong artist Chow Pui-sze says about her new exhibition of artworks. It’s unusual: Her art is made from silicone menstrual cups, also known as moon cups. She’s working to spread a twofold message—one of protecting the environment and the other of stopping violence against women.

Moon cups are not widely used in Hong Kong, and Chow, more commonly known as Sze C., believes it has to do with a sense of taboo surrounding feminine products, especially in Asia. “It was surprising, even though the menstrual cup has been in circulation for a few decades now, how not a lot of women knew about it,” she says.

“With some Asians they get really interested in it, they want to try it, but of course for them it’s kind of a big step. Most Asians are using pads, Westerners are mostly using tampons. So when they transition from tampons to this cup it’s more acceptable, the mindset is more easy,” Sze C. says. 

Using medical-grade silicone, the menstrual cup is made to be washed and reused. It’s long-lasting and therefore environmentally friendly. 

“I post a lot of information on pads and tampons and their marketing—they keep telling you how clean or how pure they are, but they’re actually full of chemicals. They’re so white because they bleach it. And as a woman, sometimes you have experiences with infections, it’s because you use those products,” Sze C. says. 

When it comes to using menstrual cups instead of tampons, Sze C. adds, “It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. But at least I wanted people to get an idea that they had an alternative.”