"This work is a futuristic piece, a vision of a time when the ‘Thank God for abortion’ statement would be banal. We are not there now, but we are intentionally calling that closer with this effort. It’s a multimedia extravaganza, a celebration of our autonomy. Our work is to normalize abortion, which is just health care. Our mission ends when everyone has access to legal, safe, and free abortions."—Viva Ruiz in Artforum, June 2018

Participant is pleased to present ProAbortion Shakira: A Thank God For Abortion Introspective by Viva Ruiz. The exhibition brings together collected and new works under the banner of the Thank God For Abortion (TGFA) project, including sculpture, costumes, photography, video, writings, and assorted propaganda alongside a program of performances and talks. TGFA first took form as practical protest gear, including riot shields, flags, and t-shirts, adorned with the dove logo in reference to familiar typography and public imagery. These items demand not just to be seen but to be used, providing both safety and agitation. Most recently, in June of 2018 the Thank God For Abortion “Joyful Noise” float catalyzed the New York City Pride Parade, taking on a mode of mass access and action. Finding a stage in the streets and in nightclubs, TGFA brings abortion and spirituality into proximity. Activating a femme pop frequency, ProAbortion Shakira works with glamour and performance as easily absorbed forms to disseminate complicated messaging, combining references to Latin pop music, telenovelas, and talk shows. During the 5-week exhibition, a TGFA TV talk show prayer hour will be programmed on Sundays against a backdrop of the TGFA messaging.

TGFA TV talk show Sunday prayer hour schedule:

Feb 10
6pm, REPRO RIGHTS ARE IMMIGRANT RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS with activist Alejandra Pablos

Feb 24
6pm, ABORTION RIGHTS ARE GLBTQI+ RIGHTS ARE BLACK/POC RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS with Javier Nunez Cespedes (Planned Parenthood) and Lanai Daniels (New York Abortion Access Fund)

March 3
6pm, TEAM TGFA PARADE FLOAT RECON roundtable with Michael Love Michael, Merryl Spence, Max Colby, and more…

March 10
4-6pm, THANK GOD FOR ABORTION CARE PROVIDERS letter writing on National Abortion Provider Appreciation Day

6pm, TGFA loves SYA with Shout Your Abortion co-founder Amelia Bonow