CHICAGO ––Woman Made Gallery (WMG) is proud to present Roe 2.0 in direct protest and response to the United States Supreme Court’s 6–3 Dobbs v. Jackson decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that established the constitutional right to abortion in 1973. Roe 2.0 is a hybrid group exhibition featuring works in a variety of mediums by 44 artists in WMG’s gallery space as well as varied responses to the theme by 100 artists in the virtual-only part of this important and powerful exhibition. Individuals also responded to a call for Abortion stories. Some signed their names while others stayed anonymous. Displayed next to the visual artworks at Woman Made, these written accounts, thoughts, and experiences offer an unflinching view of very personal perspectives entangled with political repression. Abortion Stories will be added online throughout the year as they are submitted.
The Dobbs v. Jackson verdict leaves people with the capacity for pregnancy at the mercy of each individual state, which can now set their own abortion laws. Access to safe, legal abortions and reproductive healthcare is a basic human right that the U.S. government actively chooses to exploit. The denial of reproductive rights and access disproportionately affects individuals of color and those from economically disadvantaged communities. Our bodies and reproductive capabilities are not a political playground.
We at WMG believe that art can and does create lasting social change. As an intersectional feminist organization, WMG stands in solidarity with pro-choice activists and organizations. This exhibition seeks to document artists’ voices in this time of urgency, as a means of resistance to facilitate change and create a space for open dialogue regarding abortion rights.
Roe 2.0 Gallery Exhibiting Artists: Amy Bernard, Colby Parker Beutel, Marnie Blair, Borealis, Riley Brady, Marcie Brozyna, Amy Cannestra, Julie Carcione Cavaz, Melanie Deal, Anne Dushanko Dobek, Karen Fike, Ellen Fishman, Lisa Freeman, Theresa Giammattei, Anita Giraldo, Seyeong Hanlim, Frederica Diane Huff, Ali Hval, Ina Kaur, Helen Klebesacel, Epiphany Knedler, Tulika Ladsariya, Kristy Lisle, Elaine Luther, Marie Magnetic, Glenda Mah, Mildred Annani Mercado, Kelsey Faith Nichols, Niki Nolin, Laura O’Connor, Priscilla Otani, Jina Park, Mimm Patterson, Adam D. Piergallini, Mariana R. Rey, Erin K. Schmidt, Heather Schulte, Rebecca Schwarzberg, Sondra Schwetman Art, Suzanna Scott, Marijo Swick, Winnie van der Rijn, Julie Waltz-Stalker, and Jennifer Weigel.
ROE 2.0 Healing Together: A Workshop
(Image: Marcie Brozyna: Blood Coming Out of Her Lady Liberty (2018) – thread and cotton menstrual pad on burlap; 24 x 12 x 2.5 in.)
Gallery Hours: Thursday, Friday, Saturday; Sunday 12-5 PM CST | WMG is closed between exhibitions.
Woman Made Gallery thanks Pritika Chowdhry and Jae Green for their work on WMG’s Program Committee. Gratitude to all Artists for being part of the ROE 2.0 Group Exhibition. Thanks to Board, Staff and Volunteers for their devotion.
Woman Made Gallery is supported in part by grants from The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; The Illinois Arts Council Agency; the Arts Midwest GIG Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. the Puffin Foundation, a major anonymous donor; and the generosity of its members and contributors.
