Lauren Doorish: Art & Feminist Activism

Contraception and abortion are topics that also occupy artists, poets, writers,[1] singers,[2] and other creatives.

For some, this engagement helps them resist (political) constraints or at least vent their frustrations. Particularly striking are, for example, the embroideries by the American artist Katrina Majkut, or the paintings of the artist Paula Rego.

Currently, Lauren Doorish of Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas, is recreating the various models of IUD (contraceptive coils) from the period 1960 to 1980 using ceramics. She then paints them and covers them with textiles and other materials – patterns that hold personal significance for her and her family. Both of her grandmothers had been politically active and fought for women’s rights. She herself worked in the medical field for more than 15 years before embarking on her work as an interdisciplinary feminist.

Through her work, Lauren Doorish wants to remind us that we owe the right to contraception and abortion to previous generations. The intent is that women once again learn that they can fight back – even though this is currently only possible to a very limited extent in Texas Visit Lauren Doorish's website at https://www.laurendoorish.com/ or follow her on Instagram @laurendoorishart.