An artwork about the midterm elections in the U.S. has been created by the artist Bonnie Lautenberg (widow of the late Senator Frank Lautenberg, who was a campaigner for stronger environmental regulations). The installation is called ‘Lady Liberty: Tears of Roe’. He exhibits seeks to champion women’s right to choose.
Lautenberg created this timely new artwork in response to the recent overturning of Roe vs. Wade by the Supreme Court. As an artist, she is well-regarded and she was recently appointed by the President to the White House Advisory Committee on the Arts.
With the artwork, Lautenberg was selected for a solo museum exhibition in Miami during Art Basel Miami Beach. Lautenberg is an established artist, on display in The Smithsonian, and her works have also been selected by the Jewish Museum Florida-FIU for a solo exhibition featuring her images of women championing freedom.
On both the campaign and the artwork, Lautenberg states: “I hope grandmothers, mothers, daughters and granddaughters look upon Tears of Roe as a reminder of the freedom of choice women had for fifty years.”
Placing the important issue in the public sphere, Lautenberg continues: “Make no mistake: this is a threat to our democracy. The same people who stole our right to choose will eventually try to steal our other hard-won rights too. Join me in finding creative ways we can make a difference for these mid-term elections.”
The emotive artwork features tears streaming down the Statue of Liberty’s face and the word “Roe” added to her crown. This is designed to lament the recent challenges to the ‘freedom’ to choose for females residing in the U.S.
Lautenberg says she created Lady Liberty: Tears of Roe “to express my disgust that women no longer have the right to decide what to do with their bodies.”
These feeling also affected the creative process. Here Lautenberg explains: “I had taken a photograph of the Statue of Liberty, and I instinctively added tears running down her cheeks and the word “Roe” to her crown, symbolizing the cruel distress forced upon millions of Americans when the Supreme Court took away women’s right to choose.”
The New York-based artists is also calling on women and men to supportive action. Lautenberg adds in terms of seeking inspiration: “What can you do to combat the egregious Supreme Court decision? Plenty! Look into your heart and recall all that you have been through. Connect with your own personal power.”
Lautenberg closes noting: “Let’s all do our part to ensure the will of the majority is restored, so that Lady Liberty’s tears of woe won’t be in vain. The freedom to choose, which fifty years ago was fought so hard for, can be rightfully honored.”
