The Red Cloud Project was developed as the first Fellowship of The Rights Studio, a creative initiative by CRIN in 2019.
The Fellowship seeks to support young artists to explore art for human and children’s rights activism.
What is the Red Cloud Project?
The Red Cloud Project began as our design fellowship in 2019-2020 with the Rights Studio at CRIN, where we were encouraged to explore how art can support activism.
What started as a deep dive into period poverty grew into the educational, conversation-starting book “From Your Big Sisters” for young people – blending facts, cultural perspectives, personal stories and reflective activities. We also launched the Period Cloud at Tate Modern in 2020 and an AR campaign #MenstruationConversation which was Highly Commended by Creative Conscience Awards in 2021.
Since then, Red Cloud Project has grown beyond the fellowship and now sits as the name for all of our period-activism work, helping us continue to open up honest, stigma-breaking conversations about menstrual health.
About Ricebox Studio
Ricebox Studio is a creative practice formed by four friends (Safiya, Maria, Bristy and Anna) in 2020 who met studying BA Graphic Design at Camberwell College of Arts, UAL.
We’re a group of Asian designers who care deeply about using design for social good, whether that’s through creative tech, interactive experiences, or community-focused projects. Our work is rooted in representation, education, and making space for voices that are often overlooked.
Press
We had the opportunity to share about the Red Cloud Project in a variety of ways.
The Rights Studio Festival
Launch of the Red Cloud Project (2021)
Watch the video above as Ricebox Studio presents the Red Cloud Project in full during its original launch at the Rights Studio Festival in 2021. In this recording, we reflect on insights gained through our journey tackling period stigma, followed by a recording of the #MenstruationConversation campaign—our invitation to talk openly about periods using augmented-reality Instagram filters—and the complete panel discussion.
Empower Period Podcast 2
Menstruation in the Media (2023)
Ricebox Studio and designer Sophia Luu got together with Acushla Young from Irise International and Dr Maria Tomlinson to talk about periods and media. In this podcast, we talk about the process of making the Red Cloud Project campaign, from finding the resources to endless rounds of feedback and peer-reviewing.
One World Period Livestream (2020)
On Menstrual Health Day (May 28th 2020), we were invited to do a segment on Religion and Menstruation as part of the One World Period event, organised by Irise International. We talk about how menstruation is viewed within the lens of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Judaism.
We have interviewed multiple religious leaders over a span of 6 months to explore the theological lens, as people have shamed menstruating women in the name of culture and religion. Using extracts from Dear Big Sisters, we are here to set the record straight! Find the link to the segment below.
What happened at our first ever MENSTRual Festival
Article, UAL (University of the Arts London), Post-Grad Community, 2020.
Introducing Ricebox Studio, an article by UAL
Article, UAL (University of the Arts London), Post-Grad Community, 2020.
Project partners <3
The revival of the Red Cloud Project would not have been feasible without our partners, collaborators and everyone who gave us their time and help. Thank you to We Are Family Foundation and Rivet for funding the project through the Youth To The Front Fund 2024.
We would like to kindly thank Acushla Young from Irise International, Dr Maria Tomlinson and Nafiseh Bozorgzad from University of Sheffield, Neelam Heera from Cysters, Gillian Duffy from Camberwell College of Arts, Cheryl Ng, Bodrul Islam, Hosne-ara Hassan, Elizabeth Al-Khaky, Ricarnaye Nelson and Sebastian Grygiel for their much needed expertise, consultancy and input.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank everyone who peer reviewed, advised, contributed and supported us to develop this fantastic project.
Child Rights International Network (CRIN)
Veronica Yates (Director), Lianne Minasian (Deputy to the Director), Miriam Sugranyes (Art Director and Illustrator), Victor Sande-Aneiros (Editor) , Bene Lombe (Communications Director), Larisa Abrickaja (Regions Manager), and everyone at CRIN for their support and peer reviewing!
Religious Leaders and Period Activists
Rabbi Sybil Sheridan, Imam Aarij Anwer, Dr. Lidia Wojtczak, Dr. Haifaa Younis, Natasha Chawla, Avni Chag, Rev’d. Jonathan MacNeaney, Sophie Ascheim (PERIOD. End of sentence.), Amika George (Free Periods), Lauren Anders Brown (WOMENstruate), Mashiya Rahman (Resurgence), Radha Paudel (Global South Coalition for Dignified Menstruation, and Theresa Nyava (Sanitary Aid Zimbabwe).
Peer Reviewers
Hannah Ellis, Sinead Evans, Sophia Luu, Paul Emorut (Akworot Mukuju Active Youth Association), Joe Seavey (Nagoya International School), Women of Wimbledon (Wimbledon High School For Girls), Robert Mukondiwa (Journalist), Dorry Smith (Days For Girls), Rosani Limbu (Nurse), Aurore Sajust de Bergues (medical student), Dr. Haifaa Younis, Rabbi Sybil Sheridan, Project Soar Morocco, and all of the under 18s who got involved.
Contributors
Everyone who submitted their period stories, Florence Low for the Gender and Menstruation chapter, Radha Paudel for the Dignified Menstruation chapter, and Manasa Gade for her overall contributions.