ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Apotropaike: Vulva Portraits on Commission

artist · 2026-04-27

Vanessa, known as Apotropaike, is a Ravenna-based artist who creates custom digital paintings of vulvas from intimate photos, transforming them into large, colorful pop art prints. She works from photographs provided by clients, reinterpreting them in a psychedelic, celebratory style. The works are printed as fine art on ultra-glossy 310g paper. Apotropaike's practice is a direct response to the rising popularity of labiaplasty in Italy and Europe, aiming to restore beauty and power to female genitalia. Her art was featured in a solo exhibition on March 8 at Casa Spadoni restaurant in Ravenna. The artist describes her work as a representation of female genital beauty outside mass media stereotypes.

Key facts

  • Vanessa (Apotropaike) creates custom vulva portraits on commission.
  • She works from intimate photos provided by clients.
  • The portraits are reinterpreted in a pop, colorful style.
  • Prints are large-format fine art on ultra-glossy 310g paper.
  • Apotropaike's solo exhibition was held on March 8 at Casa Spadoni restaurant in Ravenna.
  • The artist cites labiaplasty as the most requested cosmetic surgery in Italy and Europe.
  • Her work aims to restore beauty and power to female genitalia.
  • The project is called 'vulva portraits' and is described as a symptom of current feminist self-awareness.

Entities

Artists

  • Vanessa (Apotropaike)

Institutions

  • Casa Spadoni
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Ravenna
  • Italy
  • Europe

Sources