Representing Abortion

Representing Abortion challenges the polarisation of conversations about abortion by examining how artists, writers, performers, and activists make abortion visible, audible, and palpable within contexts dominated by anti-abortion imagery. The collection offers nuanced and complex understandings of abortion, personally and politically, and expands the frame of reference for understanding abortion beyond the anti-abortion use of the fetal image. It is organized into sections around seeing (and not seeing) abortion, fetal materiality, abortion storytelling and memoir, and representations for new arguments, covering topics such as abortion visibility, anti-abortion discourse, pro-choice engagements with the fetus, personal experience, and media representations. The analyses of such representations counteract anti-abortion rhetoric and carve out space for new arguments for abortion that are more representative and inclusive.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 270 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Representing Abortion is a groundbreaking exploration that delves into the diverse ways in which artists, writers, performers, and activists bring abortion to the forefront of public discourse, challenging the dominant anti-abortion imagery that focuses solely on the fetus and erases the pregnant person. Through their creative endeavors, these individuals strive to create a more nuanced and complex understanding of abortion, both on a personal and political level.

The book offers a comprehensive analysis of the various representations of abortion across different mediums, including art, performance, literature, and activism. Contributors to this collection examine how artists, performers, clinicians, writers, and activists depict and narrate abortion, offering nuanced and complex perspectives that challenge the polarizing nature of conversations surrounding this issue.

In a world where access to abortion is increasingly restricted, and anti-abortion representations of the fetus dominate the cultural landscape, this representational work is urgently needed. By expanding the frame of reference for understanding abortion beyond the anti-abortion use of the fetal image, contributors to the collection push beyond narrow abstractions and examine representations of the experience and procedure of abortion within grounded histories, politics, and social contexts.

The collection is organized into four sections: Seeing (and not seeing) Abortion, Fetal Materiality, Abortion Storytelling and Memoir, and Representations for New Arguments. These sections cover a wide range of topics, including abortion visibility, anti-abortion discourse, pro-choice engagements with the fetus, personal experiences, and media representations. The analyses of these representations aim to counteract anti-abortion rhetoric and carve out space for new arguments that are more representative and inclusive of all perspectives.

One of the key themes explored in the collection is the concept of abortion visibility. Contributors argue that the visibility of abortion is crucial in challenging the dominant narratives and promoting a more inclusive understanding of reproductive rights. They explore how artists, performers, and activists use their work to bring attention to abortion, challenging the silence and stigma surrounding this issue.

Another important theme is the fetal materiality of abortion. Contributors examine how the fetus is represented and interpreted in anti-abortion imagery and how this representation affects the broader cultural discourse. They argue that the fetal image is often used to evoke emotional responses and manipulate public opinion, but that this representation obscures the experiences and perspectives of pregnant people.

Abortion storytelling and memoir are also explored in the collection. Contributors examine how individuals have used their personal experiences with abortion to shape their artistic and activist work, and how these narratives contribute to the broader understanding of abortion. They argue that storytelling and memoir can be powerful tools for promoting empathy and understanding and for challenging the dominant narratives surrounding abortion.

Representations for New Arguments is the final section of the collection, and it focuses on the use of art and activism to advocate for safe abortion access. Contributors argue that the traditional pro-choice and anti-abortion narratives are insufficient and that new arguments are needed to address the complex realities of abortion. They explore how artists, performers, and activists use their work to create new narratives that challenge the status quo.

Overall, Representing Abortion is an innovative and challenging collection that will be of key interest to scholars studying rep. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the diverse ways in which abortion is represented and narrated, challenging the dominant narratives and promoting a more inclusive understanding of reproductive rights. Through their creative endeavors, artists, performers, clinicians, writers, and activists contribute to the broader conversation about abortion, creating space for new arguments and envisioning new ways to advocate for safe abortion access through reproductive justice frameworks.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367540029