by Anna Kovler

The work of over 40 influential artists including Cindy Sherman, Laurie Simmons, Marilyn Minter and Shirin Neshat is part of a fearless, two-venue exhibition designed to raise awareness and funding for women’s reproductive rights. In direct response to the recent conservative wave in abortion legislation across America - artists, curators and activists join forces at Galerie Eva Presenhuber and Arsenal Contemporary Art New York to resist this regressive movement.

I spoke with co-curator Jasmine Wahi and artist Marilyn Minter, who worked together on the exhibition about why this show is so urgent and what they hope to achieve.

Anna Kovler: There are so many amazing artists in this exhibition, what were your curatorial ideas as you were putting the show together?

Jasmine Wahi: The curatorial ideas started out very broad. We wanted a show that could speak to how important the procedure of safe, legal and accessible abortion is to women here in America. A wider lens on that is how body sovereignty and personal choice is an essential human right.

AK: How long has this show been in the making?

Marilyn Minter: It’s been in the making since the abortion ban in Alabama came out in May of 2019. Jasmine called me and said lets do something. I contacted Gina Nanni and invited Laurie Simmons, who’s my best friend, and we all met and decided our creative capital is best when we raise money for the right cause, and we’re good at that. We debated the title for a while, and decided to be bold because we want to take the shame out of abortion. We sent letters to all the artists we know, and pretty much all the artists said yes. Some are making new work specifically for the show, and all the money is going to Planned Parenthood.

AK: The variety of artists and work here is definitely exciting.

JW: Absolutely. Some of the bigger artists are giving us fairly early work, for example Laurie Simmons is showing work from the 70’s, and other artists made totally new work. Betty Tompkins has made a new piece for us, and Jane Kaplowitz has made a new work for us. Elektra KB is creating a new installation. Jon Kessler has made a beautiful collage piece as homage and reminder of one of the first abortion clinic bombings in America, with archival footage and found material; it's a very exciting piece to include. 

AK: Marilyn I know you recently spoke about this show at Art Basel in Miami, how was that received?

MM: Art Basel is a pretty gentle place to announce it, a very sympathetic crowd. I think they are a bit complacent, because they can’t wrap their brains around the fact that women in Texas, Alabama, and Tennessee will have no control over their reproductive care. What will a 16-year-old kid do in Texas when she has to travel out of state to get an abortion? What’s the nearest state? I fought for this in 73’ when I was a kid, I didn't think this day would come again. I don’t think people in your age group realize how close we are to losing Roe vs. Wade.

AK: Why do you think America is seeing this wave of conservative legislation right now?

JW: I get this question a lot in a class I teach on intersectional feminism. I think its always been there, latently or beneath the surface, and its really come to a head now. As much as I hate to pin it on one person, I think its come about from Donald Trump. When you have someone as charismatic and polarizing and open as Trump, it opens the floodgates for it to be ok to be like him. If there is one thing that I like about Trump it’s his ability to peel back the beautiful scab that everything is all right, so that everyone can show their true colors.

AK: Marilyn, which work are you putting in the show?

MM: It is brand new work related to a video I recently made. I have a lot of images from that shoot, so I’ve been playing around with them, and I made an edition printed on metal called Cuntrol.

AK: This piece is less colorful than your normal work.

MM: I didn't want to put in something easy … it’s just not that kind of show. But I also want to raise funds for Planned Parenthood, so I’m trying to find something that illustrates how vital this show is. I’m making a tough piece; it's a powerful piece for me. I think that if you’re not angry and upset, you’re not paying attention right now.

Abortion is Normal opens on January 9th 2020 at Eva Presenhuber in New York, and on January 21st at Arsenal Contemporary Art New York. Jasmine Wahi is a curator, activist, educator and co-director of Project for Empty Space. Marilyn Minter is an artist, activist, and educator based in New York.