Through the month of October, the Nasty Women Exhibit will showcase local artists’ work at Bentley’s House of Coffee and Tea for the “Pussy Power: Planned Parenthood Art Show.” All proceeds from the art sales will benefit Planned Parenthood Arizona.
The “nasty woman” phrase emerged when President Donald Trump interrupted Hillary Clinton to call her a “nasty woman” during the third presidential debate. Within moments, #NastyWoman began trending on Twitter, according to the Huffington Post. Since then, the phrase has started a new movement and acquired a new meaning of unity for women across the country. The Nasty Women Exhibition is just one example of this movement.
According to the organization’s national website, “Nasty Women is a global art movement that serves to demonstrate solidarity among artists who identify with being a Nasty Woman in the face of threats to roll back women’s rights, individual rights and abortion rights.”
The national Nasty Women movement was started in New York City by a group of female artists and curators who wanted to raise money and awareness for women’s rights. The first exhibition was held in Queens, New York City in January 2017 and raised $42,000 for Planned Parenthood, according to their website.
Other satellite shows have been held in U.S. cities like Chicago, Boston and Salt Lake City and across the world in places like Portugal, Belgium and Germany. The Nasty Women Exhibit moved to Tucson in April 2017 with a show at Borderlands Brewing Company. In the weekend-long art show, the group donated 100 percent of its $15,000 profit for Planned Parenthood Arizona.
RELATED: Nasty Women Exhibit raises funds for Planned Parenthood
“After I agreed to put [a satellite exhibit] on in Tucson, I realized I knew nothing about art or curating or directing,” said Katya Karankevich, executive director of the Nasty Women Exhibit Tuscon. “I guess in the end that didn’t matter, as artists flooded me with submissions of all sorts of amazing works.”
After the success of the first event, the second month-long event was organized at Bentley’s House of Coffee and Tea to continue to raise money for Planned Parenthood Arizona. Art for sale will be on display for the entire month of October, with new pieces going up as others are sold.
“We have nudes, vaginas, female empowerment, landscapes, babies, abstracts, butts, custom buttons, flowers, trans themes, pregnancy, posters, penises, portraits.” Karankevich said. “All month long we will be able to look at one wall of just Trump and dick art. We have Planned Parenthood scarves as well.”
Planned Parenthood, an organization committed to sexual health for both women and men, has faced political attacks for decades. Under the Trump administration, Planned Parenthood faced defunding in one form of the ACA repeal bill. According to Planned Parenthood’s website, 2.4 million people in the United States visit a Planned Parenthood affiliate center in a year.
RELATED: News Fast Five: Health Care Reform
Planned Parenthood Arizona serves over 90,000 people in the state through education, healthcare and advocacy, according to the organization’s website.
Karankevich said a memorable moment from the last exhibition was when a “military guy” who was against Planned Parenthood came into Borderlands Brewing Company.
“I spoke to him at length about the last time he was tested for dick cancer,” Karankevich said. “He was not aware that dick cancer even existed or how many types there were. I told him he could go get screened for it for free at Planned Parenthood if he cared about his wiener, balls and prostate.”
Karankevich said that if someone believes women deserve bodily autonomy, they should support the Nasty Women Exhibition’s cause.
“If you think that people should be able to decide for themselves when and where they want to start a family, this event is for you,” Karankevich said. “If you are interested in growing your pussy power, come see this show at Bentley’s. If we can keep resisting the oppressive White House regime that wants to outlaw abortion and defund Planned Parenthood by showing up to this tiny event, it will have been a success.”
Bentley’s House of Coffee and Tea is located at 1730 E. Speedway Blvd.
The art exhibit will accept art on a rolling basis until the last week of October. To submit art or to get more information, contact nastywomentucson@gmail.com.
Follow Breagh Watson on Twitter
