Wander under the eaves of a 11th or 12th century Castle, Church or Cathedral, and one might expect to see gargoyles, beautiful gothic architecture, or even a grotesque or two. What most people probably WOULDN'T expect to see, is a figurine of a screaming woman holding her enormous vagina wide open like a doorway. That is to say - most people haven't ever seen or heard of a Sheela Na gig... 👀

Sheela Na Gigs are technically architectural grotesques found throughout most of European cathedrals, castles, and other buildings. They usually depict a female figure, (sometimes screaming), and nearly always with a hugely exaggerated Vulva. In some instances the vulvas in these carvings are immense, half the size of the rest of the body, and in others the figure is holding her vulva and vagina wide open, like a strange doorway!

Theories abound on the origins and purpose of the Sheela, with the first serious scholarship on these enigmatic little sculptures only emerging in the 1970s, and scholars still seem quite unable to agree even upon the origins of the name Sheela Na Gig! This lecture will explore the many conflicting histories and theories that surround these strange and enigmatic sculptures, and the inherent misogyny that underpinned much of their written history...

We are committed to making our sessions as accessible as possible. If you are unable to pay the full amount for this class, please reach out to us via email at [email protected] and we will provide you with a discount code.