Imagine! presents Wholly Trinity: Abortion, Art and Activism in Ireland.

about

“…art can assist people to learn not only about the objective forces at work in the society in which they live, but also about the intensely social character of their interior lives. Ultimately, it can propel people toward social emancipation.” (Angela Davis).

This short film, produced by The Open University, and conceived by Alliance for Choice in collaboration with The Array Collective, explores the role that artists and creatives played in campaigning for abortion rights in Ireland.

Art is a powerful vehicle for social justice and the struggle for abortion rights throughout the island of Ireland was no exception. This beautiful short film depicts the commitment, creativity, colour and emotion that artists brought to the Irish abortion campaigns.

Through interviews with the artists themselves, it describes how artists used creativity and performance to inspire people to action, ignite powerful conversations and build communities of solidarity. The film includes interviews with Array members, Laura O’Connor and Alessia Cargnelli, artists Alice Maher and Helena Walsh, interviewed by artist and activist Emma Campbell.

Alliance for Choice (AfC) believes everyone who needs an abortion should have free, safe and legal access in their own country, without stigma; set up in 1996, we campaign for barrier free access to abortion, comprehensive, unbiased sex education for young people and an end to the harassment of people using reproductive health services.

Array Collective are a group of individual artists rooted in Belfast, who join together to create collaborative actions in response to the sociopolitical issues affecting Northern Ireland. Array’s studios and project space in the city centre acts as a base for the collective, however the participating artists are not limited to studio holders.

Collective members: ​​Sighle Bhreathnach-Cashell, Sinead Bhreathnach-Cashell, Jane Butler, Emma Campbell, Alessia Cargnelli, Mitch Conlon, Clodagh Lavelle, Grace McMurray, Stephen Millar, Laura O’Connor, Thomas Wells.

The Open University (OU) was founded with the mission to open higher education to all, regardless of background, and operates across the four UK nations and in the Republic of Ireland. The Reproduction, Sexualities and Sexual Health Group at the OU specialises in co-creating learning around sexualities, reproduction, rights and justice based on rigorous research and community expertise, inc. the award-winning My Body, My Life, professional guidance on sexual and reproductive health and rights for people with disabilities and resources for people living with HIV including award-winning collaborations with the BBC.

Parental guidance advised due to themes.