EM HEIN

This quilt is a memorial for those who have suffered through the pre-Roe era and a plea to stop that suffering from happening again.

The fiber techniques used to make this piece were labor intensive and time consuming but done with loving intention. This is the same kind of work that must be done to ensure the bodily autonomy and safety of all those who have been affected by the overturn of Roe.

The rabbit fur in the center is a call to the “rabbit” pregnancy tests created in the 1930’s. These tests involved the euthanization of the rabbit to determine the results. What is life giving news for one is a death sentence for another. A positive result from a modern pregnancy test can be an equally life threatening without safe access to abortion care.

This piece also illustrates the pain of motherhood and the stark differences between how these civilizations worshipped the mother and child and how today's society neglects birthing people and children. This country has the highest maternal death rate and yet denies access to health care, universal paid maternity leave and affordable child care. As a response to this, we are seeing a birthing revolution where mothers are seeking to return to ancient practices to heal colonial trauma and connect back to the sacred through ritual and community. This shift in consciousness seeks to birth new life, understanding and spiritual connection for our birthing people and children.