Thread by @monaeltahawy

Art and abortion: In 1998, when a referendum to decriminalize abortion in Portugal failed, artist Paula Rego made a series of works to highlight the "fear and pain and danger of an illegal abortion, which is what desperate women have always resorted to." nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artist…

The abortion series, which depicts women in the aftermath of illegal abortions, was so powerful it's been credited with influencing the public to campaign for a second referendum, in 2007, after which abortion was finally legalized in Portugal. bbc.com/culture/articl…

"I tried to do full frontal but I didn't want to show blood, gore or anything to sicken, because people wouldn't look at it then. And what you want to do is make people look, make pretty colours and make it agreeable, and in that way make people look at life."

"There was one point where she looked really triumphant and then something happened in the picture, as if she had been slapped across the face, you see. And then she is being humiliated and yet she is triumphant, completely triumphant. So they are not pictures of victims."

"Paula Rego’s Abortion Pastels are powerful portrayals of a process that largely remains concealed and shrouded in stigma."

Why Artists Must Stop Treating Abortion as a Taboo Subject

elephant.art/why-artists-mu…

Curator Alice Strang discusses the Abortion Series by Paula Rego

Just before the pandemic shut down NYC, I went to just an exhibit called Abortion is Normal, co-curated by Jasmine Wahi and Rebecca Pauline Jampol. My dear friend the artist Nadine Faraj told me about it because she had a piece in it. theguardian.com/artanddesign/2…

The cover art for my essay about my abortion is from the exhibit and it is by artist Betty Tompkins feministgiant.com/p/abortion-is-…

I made a new friend: artist Jaishri Abichandani who exhibited The Diamond at the Meeting of My Thighs.

“I made it after my 3rd abortion at the age of 47. Even though I had had 2 before & committed to one child, it wasn’t an easy decision because in my heart I longed for a girl"

E"My friend Imani helped me release that desire to another Yoniverse where my daughter could exist without facing any violence. I channeled that into the work. She’s birthing a child but there are so many eggs at her feet that she won’t birth as children but as art," Jaishri said

“I explored the theme of Abortion in another work called the Shrine to the Abortion Goddess where I made one to bless all the women who chose themselves instead,” Jaishri said.

I chose myself instead. That was exactly why I had 2 abortions.

I wasn't raped. I wasn't sick. The pregnancies didn't threaten my life. I didn't want to be pregnant.

I am glad I had my abortions. They gave me the freedom to live the life I have chosen feministgiant.com/p/abortion-is-…

"As reproductive rights and women’s safety are debated once more, it is an important moment to introduce the public to artists who create work demonstrating not only that abortion is both necessary and normal, but that it can even be celebrated."

elephant.art/why-artists-mu…