Bun in The Washing Machine (Womb)

Miniature wooden washing machine curiosity portal

for ITP course STEM Accessibility with Sharon De La Cruz and Khushbu Kshirsagar

April 2024

Bun in The Washing Machine is a part of my Body of Work series. It is a hyper-feminine washing machine curiosity portal. With its spinning interior, it washes all kinds of glittery, pink, and stereotypically feminine items: sparkles, beads, acrylic nails, butterflies, and felt underwear.

This sculpture was directly inspired by neighborhood laundromat. I conceptualized this piece through my visits, observations, and a beautiful mural that I see everyday on the side of my laundromat’s building.

The annoying sounds of items being “washed” and the sterility of the pulsing light underscores the tension inherent in the feminine experience. The cycle can be a truly polarizing biological process, creating and relieving anxieties. Additionally, this piece highlights the limitations on personal choices for individuals with uteruses – roles we assume, what is expected of us, what we can or cannot do with our own bodies.

For more information on how I made this check out my blog post.

Thanks so much to the ITP Doc Lab for taking such great pictures of my project!