With the development of the feminist movement over nearly a hundred years, all countries in the world have
gradually addressed the question of whether women can freely choose an abortion, and more and more
people accept abortion. But there are those who continue to oppose abortion and, despite women owning
their bodies, they will continue to be viewed negatively regarding abortion. I would like to reconsider the
importance of women's right to abortion in today's social environment.
When I was in high school, I participated in a volunteer activity. At that time, I was working as a surgical
assistant in the maternal and child health hospital, where I was responsible for the delivery of surgical
instruments in abortion operations. This experience had a profound influence on me. Many teenage girls in
China have to choose artificial abortion due to unwanted pregnancy. At a very young age, they blamed their
indifference, social prejudice, misconduct, loose womanhood and so on.
In this set of works, I have used photo to show the secondary harm caused to women by
abortion: "I" am walking in the city where "I" live wearing a white dress. As "I" walk, "I" leave a trail of red dust which
leaks from my skirt. The red powder represents the pain that women suffer, due to public criticism during the
abortion process and after the abortion. The physical pain decreases over time. But the societal pains still
exist in every area of daily life. During the performance passers-by stared and talked about "me".
I hope my work will enable the public to reconsider women's rights and status and give women respect and
understanding on the issue of free abortion.
