This sculpture shows a series of abstracted genitalia, varying in their shape; the genitals assembled in the lower two rows resemble vulvas. Not making clear if the genitalia are female or male, Bourgeois detaches them from the body and from their traditional roles. By confronting the viewers with the ambivalent genitalia, Bourgeois intends to scrutinize sexual stereotyping and sexual identity[1]. The genitals fragmentary represented in abstracted shape are the unique topic of this work which stands strongly in contrast to the large-scale female greek sculptures where the female genitals were ignored and hidden in obscurity. The material used by Bourgois in "Torso" is similar to the material employed in antique sculptures.

Biography: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louise_Bourgeois

(Translation: K. Seifter)