Welcome

It has taken me 4 years to share this work because it is an intimate story that doesn’t have a clear conclusion. I have been angry and scared of being judged, also I didn’t know how to justify the connection between what Yogitown was and the new place it’s standing - now as Yonitown.

So first of all, I declare Yonitown as a feminist label, which seeks equal rights for all people despite their gender. This feminism doesn't fight to oppress men, but the opposite, I would like to show them what it's like to be a woman and explain how feminine energy can benefit us all and the planet. Yonitown continues to exist to contribute to our designs to weaken the patriarchy through graphic activism that brings awareness and starts conversations on the subject. It was hard to suddenly print vulvas without explaining where this was coming from, so here is that explanation:

Since 2016, when Yogitown became the way to express my creativity, it has been a place to learn and remember the important values in life - ethics, veganism, environment, yoga philosophy- these were and continue to be the principles of the label. Since the beginning Yogitown declared its ethos and the reason to exist: the Yamas are the foundation for the brand to continue creating and showing up. However, I was always unsure of how to relate to the fifth Yama: Brahmacarya, which means to respect the creative power of sex and not abuse it by manipulating others sexually. I neglected this matter as I had no way to relate it to the brand. Now, the new chapter is all about expressing our sexuality.

Yonitown honors the wisdom that lives within the feminine body. Beyond a reproductive system, these organs hold memories from our ancestors, I was amazed when I realised that a part of me was inside my grandmother’s body before my mum didn’t even consider bringing me into the world. These designs came to life intending to leave behind my fear of judgment, as I had the urge to express and let go of what was holding me back, I drew them without thinking of sharing them but instead to create a special place to connect with myself.

The graphics response to a series of life changing questions I asked myself:

What is love?

How do I love?

How do I make love?

What is the reason I make love?

To find the answer to those questions I began therapy and I started to investigate what led me to ask myself those questions. Here I have the need to mention that in 2019 I realised that the innocent games I played with my older cousin when I was a child, for him meant something different, and the correct name for those games are sexual abuse. Only 30 years later I started to remember, join the dots and understand what it meant to be a woman in a patriarchal world. Later, when I was able to answers the questions I wasn’t at all in peace with the responses:

What is love? Moving prana (energy)

How do I love? By loving myself

How do I make love? With the heart

What is the reason I make love? to CREATE LIFE!

Wow, so the answer of the last question was a big surprise for me, for years I have strongly refused the idea of becoming a mother and I wasn’t considering to change anything in my life for the life of someone else - my child. Giving birth was a scary nightmare and the weirdest mistake to lose my independence. I kept looking into the answers and with time I soften to the idea that maybe becoming a mum wasn’t for me, but I could still honour the potent ability of my body to create life. Also, I contemplate de idea that giving birth could be a revolutionary act, I started seeing it as an opportunity to raise a new person with values that will contribute to the better of future generations. I made peace with my answers when I was reminded that giving birth is a natural act that my body has the knowledge to perform.

Please notice that these are my personal answers, I don’t want in any way to impose them or declare them as the absolute truth, rather, I feel open and humble in sharing my most private ideas. Also, I understand that motherhood isn’t for every being who is capable of conceiving life, - still, I am unsure I will be able to live that role in this lifetime, at least now I see it as an act of love and not longer as a burden - and most importantly, I respect you, and strongly believe in “your body, your choice”.

I have been drawing yonis since all this revolution started but I wasn’t able to share them until now. I hope you enjoy licking at them.

valerita x