Body and Blood
Celisa C.
Graphite and gold acrylic
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My mother and I are only alive because she was able to have an abortion. Witnessing that right being stripped away from women across the United States is a painful reality that I expressed through “Two Marys.” This piece reimagines Michelangelo’s Pietà, a depiction of the Virgin Mary grieving her son’s death, to reflect the growing threat of reproductive rights being restricted in our country. In my artwork, Mary isn’t holding her child, but herself–a representation of all women’s suffering under policies that threaten our autonomy. She’s gripping a coat hanger, which symbolizes the dangerous lengths people are driven to without access to reproductive care. By contrasting the grey, somber graphite with striking, golden rays, I highlight the enduring strength and divinity of our resilience, even in the face of oppression.
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Creativity is a process that I wholeheartedly enjoy. Sometimes, that comes with making mistakes. But what I’ve learned about creativity is that the goal is discovery and growth--not flawless execution.
