The Women Who Love Women Archive FAQ
What is The Women Who Love Women Archive?
It’s an ongoing, participatory art project documenting women who love women through illustrated scenes set in queer spaces.
People submit their names (solo, couples, throuples, situationships… I’m not here to judge), and I draw them into artworks as graffiti style names.
It began inside a lesbian bar toilet, moved to a sink scene, and continues to grow into a wider collection of LGBTQ artwork capturing real sapphic lives.
How do I take part?
You can submit your name(s) via the database page.
You’re welcome to add:
- Yourself
- You and your partner
- You and your partners (plural, I love ambition)
Once submitted, your name goes into the archive queue and will be included in a future artwork.
Am I guaranteed to be included?
Yes.
As long as you are a woman, or identify as a woman who loves women, your name will be included in the archive and drawn into an artwork. This includes bisexual women, pan women and trans women.
Please note: If you have a traditionally male name (Daniel, Tom, David etc) I will email just to confirm you are aware the database is for women loving women. No offence is meant by this but there are instances where people have not realised and have tried to include their boyfriends or husbands.
You may not appear in an artwork straight away, but you will appear in the series over time.
Where do the names come from?
All names are submitted by real people from around the world.
Every name you see in the artwork represents an actual person or relationship. No made-up lesbians here; making this a growing piece of global queer history captured through art.
Can I check if I’m in an artwork yet?
Yes! That’s what the database is for.
You can search your name and check the “In artwork” column:
“Not yet” = you’re in the queue
“Artwork 1, 2, 3…..” = congratulations, you are now immortalised in graffiti
The table updates regularly, so if you’ve just submitted, give it a few minutes
Will I be notified if I’m included?
Yes. If you provide your email when submitting, you’ll get notified when:
Your name appears in an artwork
The artwork is available to view (and buy, if you fancy)
Your email is never shown publicly. I’m an artist, not a data leak.
How long does it take to be included?
There isn’t a fixed timeline.
Each artwork contains a limited number of names, and everything is hand drawn (by me, with snacks and questionable posture). So it depends on:
How many submissions are ahead of you (I work through the database in date order)
How long each piece takes
Short answer: not instant, but worth the wait.
What do the artworks look like?
Each piece is set in a familiar queer space and filled with names written like graffiti.
So far, the series includes:
- A toilet cubicle
- A bathroom sink scene
- A tampon machine
More spaces, inside and out, will be added over time as the archive grows.
Can I buy the artwork?
Yes! Once completed, artworks are released as prints.
For example:
They’re printed on high-quality paper and available in different sizes, starting from £12.
Will every name definitely be included?
The aim is to include as many people as possible across multiple artworks.
This is an ongoing archive, so even if you’re not in the current piece, you may appear in a future one.
Can I request where my name goes in the artwork?
Nope.
Placement is part of the drawing process and chaos of the piece.
Can I submit more than once?
Yes, but:
- Multiple entries may be filtered to keep the archive accurate and fair.
- Try not to spam (I will know and I will sigh)
- Accidents happen, so if you accidentally submit multiple times don't worry, I'll sort it
Is this just for couples?
Not at all.
You can submit:
- Yourself
- Your relationship(s)
- Past, present, complicated… all welcome
The archive is about documenting women who love women in all forms.
Why are you doing this?
Because queer history is often lost, erased, or never recorded in the first place.
This project is a way to:
- Capture real WLW lives and relationships
- Turn them into something visual and lasting
- Create a global archive of sapphic existence
Also, drawing hundreds of names in a toilet seemed like a good idea at the time.
Is this a one-off project?
No, it’s ongoing.
New artworks, new spaces, and more names will keep being added over time. This is just the beginning.
Still got a question?
You can contact me via the contact form or shout into the void (less effective, but emotionally valid).
Want to be part of it?
Submit your name and become part of a growing piece of sapphic art and queer history.