The Untold Voice

Nvshu and the Unspoken Stories of Sex Workers.

Historical Context

In traditional Chinese society, women were often restricted by norms that kept them inside their homes. These norms also prevented them from learning the Chinese characters needed for self-expression. In response, women in Jiangyong, Hunan province, created their own writing system called Nüshu. This script, known only to women, was dismissed by men as decorative patterns. However, Nüshu allowed women to express emotions and experiences they could not openly share.

Project Output

Text Interviews:
Documenting the conversations with sex workers.

Audio Tapes:
Voices altered and processed to mimic the anonymisation effects often seen in television broadcasts.

Street Ad Cards:
Designed to mimic the style of street advertisement cards commonly used by sex workers.

Book Design:
Integrating Nvshu script with Chinese text, symbolizing the blend of cultural symbolism and narrative expression.

This project explores the connection between historical and contemporary struggles for female expression. The project uses ' Nüshu', a script created by women in traditional Chinese society who were restricted in their ability to express themselves, as a symbol to highlight the parallels with the experiences of sex workers today. The goal is to reveal the challenges sex workers face in modern society and to challenge societal stereotypes. By combining media and design, the project provides marginalized women with a platform to share their voices, addressing ongoing issues of gender, power, and communication in both the past and present.

The project engaged in conversations with ten sex workers through digital platforms. These discussions revealed narratives that reflect broader societal issues, including:

The impact of parental divorce on children
Deep-rooted social biases
Manifestations of male chauvinism
Tensions between inferiority and narcissism
The consequences of sexual repression
The relentless pursuit of material wealth

These dialogues offer insight into both the systemic challenges sex workers face and the personal dimensions of their lives.

Last update , Aug 2024