Everyone who was involved in the project was asked to write a small amount about their feelings about nipples, the project or anything they wanted. It was all written in a small note book with an illustration on the cover of Alice in Wonderland showing Alice about to drink from the bottle labelled “drink me” – always good to follow instructions. I’ve added notes in square brackets.
I had written a request inside the front cover saying – “If you like please write your name and some thoughts about doing this nipple casting thing. Thanks x P x – ps do a doodle xx” [there are quite a few x’s in the notes, these are kisses].
What people wrote is as follows –
Alex – wrote “My name is Alex & my nipples are the creation of surgery.
They are wicked! They may be a strange shape and not very round but they are very friendly. Now they are super stars – “
– Alex added a doodle of a star and a doodle of himself.
Sarah – In brackets Sarah wrote “(I wish I was allowed to get them out more often)” and then she added a drawing of a nipple star with the words “my nip” and an arrow pointing to the star. Underneath that she wrote –
“I like them very much, sometimes they go very small when its cold, and sometimes I like to see how long the hairs round them can grow!”
Myra – wrote “Nipples! Fun beautiful nurturing. Lovely way to share this with a friend. Safe onwards!”
Titch – wrote “Nips we have been together a long time. They used to be like rocks, then they used to leak! (after birth). Then they were inverted! and very sensitive, now they love being slapped, sucked and tickled.”
Nu – wrote “We have a love hate relationship, me and my nips. When I’m cold they go wrinkly and when I’m hot my right one burys inward like a mole in a hole”.
Katie – wrote “Nipples! I love nipples – I like mine best in a cold pool (perky nips!) while naked (because boobs float and that’s just lovely).
This has been a delightful experience, thanks you! X”
Eko – wrote “Free the nipple”
Isla – wrote “My nipples are very friendly, they just want to get out and play all of the time – they like all weather but they hate bras. #Free it
XXX Thanks Phil!”
Dolly – wrote “Nipples! Tits” Boobies!
Sustaining, animal, human, life-force, delightful thing.
Free, loving, unabashed, consensual nipples for all!”
– and Dolly added some doodles of nipples, a heart and some little stars.
Verity – wrote “Tits! I have a boxer dog face, a human body and a fishy tail.
Ich Bin “Boxer the Mermaid!” My tits are small. That was nice but a bit itchy. X”
Maddie -wrote “My tits liked this casting experience. For some reason I had the Clock[work] Orange theme song in my head (?!) and I laughed a lot.
I like my titties!!” and they added a small doodle of a heart.
Izzy C – wrote “I know that my chest & nips will change a lot over the next few years, so it’s cool to document what it’s like now! I don’t have much of an issue with my nips, I like they are pierced. I wish the rest of the world didn’t have a problem with em.” Izzy added a doodle of a crab with a claw about to pinch a nipple.
Freddie – wrote “Was concerned about my nipple sensitivity but presented no issue. Normally a gentle breeze can send them aflutter. Can’t wait to see the cast of my nips” and Freddie drew a small heart.
Sakura – wrote “Amazing!! My nipples are now Superstars!” and they drew a sparkling star.
Jack – wrote “Nipples are about as interesting as any other part of the body to me – not very. However, I welcome the positivity this project brings to folk, and I hope that nipples can be normalised so that we can talk about something else! Love yourselves” and they drew two small hearts.
Kev – wrote “Sometimes people call me “nipples” because its similar to my surname. I realise that I gave no strong feelings about my own nipples. But generally they are magic. Thank you for coming to my Ted talk – X”
Kara – wrote “Fantastic idea to paint out the hipocrisy society has over men vs womens nipples! All nipples are created equal!”
Suzie – wrote “Thank you so much for normalising & celebrating nipples!
I would love to feel more comfortable being topless in the future and projects like work towards achieving that.”
Shaira – wrote “Thank you for allowing me to be part of an inspiring project!
There are no difference between male & female nipples – yet society says different! Free my Nipples” and they did a small doodle of a pair of nipples.
Ben – wrote “Generally I’ve been privileged not to have to think about my nipples much. I may think female nipples more, but I suspect that’s mostly because society says they should be kept hidden. I don’t really have strong feelings about nipples. I’m glad we have them though.”
Lisa Jayne – wrote “I’m into demystification. I started doing nude work in my early 20’s, about that time I got my nips pierced. Word got round the town in Essex where I lived – everyone suddenly thought I was a lot more hardcore than I actually am. Considering I’m a 5’2″ tall – 7 stone fairy half breed that was brill, people were suddenly scared of me! Excellent!”
Tiffany Anne – wrote “I want my nipples to be free. I did not ask to be born a woman with breasts but I would like to ask now: what makes my nipples different to a mans? When its hot and men can take their tops off & bare their nipples I want to do the same without judgement & sexualisation. One love X”
Rhi – wrote
“Nipples are art
Nips should be free
Why should I be ashamed
of any part of me?!
Free the nipple!”
Rhi drew a breast and nipple and under that wrote “(ps There are more nipples than humans on this planet.)”
Laurie – wrote “There are many things we should shun and reject in society, Nazis, TERFS, Extreme Bigots. Nipples hurt no one, they only give. Freedom comes from normalisation, and everyones bodies are normal.
Free the nipple.
Free your mind.”
Briony – wrote “Fabulous experience [smiley face] Thanks for letting me take part. Excited for my nipples to be included in the project.
Free the nipple! XX”
Maya – wrote “Thanks so much for letting me take part in this fabulous project! Its time to start fighting the stigma against women’s nipples! Free the nip!! xxx”
Gem – wrote “It seems ridiculous that in 2019 female nipples are still seen as obscene. If people want their nipples out why should it not be allowed #Freethenipple” and they added a star.
Izzy R – wrote “We should be celebrating nipples of all shapes and sizes not hiding them away! Love this project, so glad to be able to be part of it! Free the nipple – Love the nipple”
Carey – wrote “All nipples are created equal. [smiley face]
What we do with them is our choice. And I chose to get ’em out!
(In controlled allowed circumstances… because The Patriarchy!
[smiley face] luv Carey X”
Juliette – wrote “Chatting to a friend today, I hear tell a maximum of 8 CDs per nipple has been achieved. Impressive stuff. As a DJ I wish I could manage that… I managed 1.
[doodle of a star and a CD with an arrow pointing from the 1 to the CD]
Poor effort! Ha! Love Jx”
Megan – wrote
“a.k.a Alan Megan
a.k.a Micromega
I don’t think about my nipples loads. I prefer mine cold aesthetically. I’m feeling excited about the feeling of the plaster. Is that wrong? Is the project to de-sexualise? or accept the sexual?
I’m unsure, I’ve had some wine and have had a small amount of mushrooms. I wonder if this information will disqualify my statement to you, reader.
I love you all the same XXX”
Carl – wrote “I had my left nip pierced in early 90s. I have got a business card of a piercer who came to my house to pierce me in my front room. He put the needle through and said “that went through easy! hmm I see why, I have done it wrong. I need to do it again!” Then muttered about how sticky blood is when doing it again,”
Abby – drew a cleavage and wrote –
“Thank you Phil, for freeing my nips!! So ridiculous that the female nipple is a taboo subject, free all nipples – x”
Deb – wrote “Nipples are beautiful and deserve to be free! Growing to love loving my body with age has been a glorious journey and freeing my nips today has helped me grow! Thanks Phil, you’re a star [small star] Love they nipples [small heart]”
Lex – wrote “I spent years hiding my nipples, covering them up as something disgusting. At 35 years old, I made friends with them. Quirky, functional, weird little nips. May 2020 be the year you can be free – Lex” and Lex drew a doodle of some breasts with stars for nipples and a smiley mouth.
Phil – I drew three nipples stars as flowers and wrote –
“Im v pleased with my wee nipple project. I’ve met lots of lovely people and got to know some good friends a little better. Its been joyful and inspiring – funny, occasionally awkward.
Confusing with my muddling of things and the cast of my own nipple took the longest.
I love this little book.
Free the nipple,
Free all of us.
x Phil x xx “
Jenny said – “Very pleased be a part of this interesting project. A fun, challenging and enlightening experience. Made me think. ” Jenny drew a smiley face and a swirl.
Ceri wrote – “Looking forward to another practical use for my nipples.”
Amma wrote – “I used to be paid to get my nipples out (and the rest of me) as a life model. In that context nipples weren’t erotica. Funny how the place changes the meaning.
Breasts out with other mums sporting newborns, older babies and finally feeding a toddler, my nipples have been a source of food and comfort for my child. In those particular places that are particular to me they can be a source of pleaseure.
Nipples are great.
Phil Pool - Art and Protest 