ARTIST STATEMENT
The overturning of Roe v. Wade is an outright cruel and disgusting decision made by the Supreme Court. This decision will not only be remembered for decades to come but is one of the cracks in the long awaited breaking of the floodgate. We the people must get rid of a system of government that allows a small select few, who are not voted into office, rule our country like it’s Britain in the 1700’s. A similar time to our own, where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Roe v. Wade was a legal extension of basic human rights, more specifically the right to bodily autonomy and abortion. However this do not seem to be a fundamental right if they can be stolen from us in a matter of weeks. This overturning does not just affect abortion but also the protections of birth control. I have PCOS with outright horrible and potentially cancerous symptoms, the only thing stopping it is birth control.
In my works I portray the very real emotions that come with this form of oppression. Rage, resilience, fear, anger, pain, heartbreak and more. The stabbing in the back from people of the exact same species. The silence we are forced into whether it be metaphorically or physically with a Scold’s Bridle. Women, AFAB and fem-presenting people continuously have to fight to get the smallest bit of equality and equity. BIPOC, queer, disabled and other marginalized women have to fight even harder. My existence as a bisexual, disabled woman can be hell sometimes, however those experiences are through a white lens. Whiteness still holds unjust power in our society. Although that power can be used to fight against White Supremacy through which the Patriarchy flourishes. Our bodies, our hopes, our lives are not something these power hungry leaders can just take from us. Through existence or resistance we show these people they cannot win. They will not have a seat at the table. Going forward all of us must fight against the systems of oppression that allow this government to have unchecked control. Feel the weight of what we as women, AFAB, and fem-presenting people go through. Feel not only the bad but the good too. The happiness, joy and love that we can show one another in unbalanced times. Channel it through the visual arts, music, writing and more. And use it to RESIST.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Education
2019-2021 | College of DuPage Studio Art Credits
Exhibitions
2020
ICC Juried Exhibition : Governors State University, University Park, IL, US
You Are Not The Boss Of My Art Year 8 : Side Street Studio Arts Gallery, Elgin, IL, US
2021
All Women Artists : Contemporary Art Gallery Online, Online
All Botanical : Contemporary Art Gallery Online, Online
SOS Planet Earth : Stola Gallery, Chicago, IL, US
2nd Figurative Exhibition : Art Show International Gallery, Online
Artist’s Choice Exhibition : Grey Cube Gallery, Online
All Color : Contemporary Art Gallery Online, Online
Solo Exhibition : Art Show International Gallery, Online [solo]
2022
Solo Exhibition : Art Show International Gallery, Online [solo]
All Women Artists : Contemporary Art Gallery Online, Online
Year 9 : Side Street Studio Arts Gallery. Elgin, IL, US
The Long Red Line : Side Street Studio Arts Gallery, Elgin, IL, US
All Planet Earth : Contemporary Art Gallery Online, Online
2nd Water Exhibition : Art Show International Gallery, Online
4th Flower Exhibition : Art Show International Gallery, Online
Botanicals : Grey Cube Gallery, Online
5th Landscape Exhibition : Art Show International Gallery, Online
Everything you can imagine is ART : Art Show International Gallery, Online, Artsy, Artnet [group show]
Art Connects : Art Show International Gallery, Online, Artsy, Artnet [group show]
All Water & Seascapes : Contemporary Art Gallery Online, Online
Faces : Grey Cube Gallery, Online
4th Figurative Exhibition: Art Show International Gallery, Online
Blue : Grey Cube Gallery, Online
4th Still Life Exhibition : Art Show International Gallery, Online
Art In The Dark Exhibition : Indie Art Park, Warrenville, IL, US
Something Wicked : Side Street Studio Arts Gallery. Elgin, IL, US
5th Portrait Exhibition: Art Show International Gallery, Online
7th Abstract Exhibition: Art Show International Gallery, Online
© Victoria May