"Red, White, and Bruised: America's Healthcare and Reproductive Rights" — Assemblages from Medical Debris by Sarah Schneiderman

Join Ball & Socket Arts for the opening reception of our latest exhibition in the Workshop Gallery on Friday, June 27 from 3-6 pm. Light refreshments provided.

In "Red, White, and Bruised," artist Sarah Schneiderman confronts the fractured healthcare and reproductive landscape in the United States. Schneiderman made these poignant assemblages from non-recyclable medical and other debris. This exhibit juxtaposes imagery of American flags with maps showing state-level abortion access. Each piece in this exhibit examines the promises of liberty and justice against the realities of unequal care, legislative control, and choice.

Sarah reimages the flag—an emblem of national pride and unity—using discarded medical materials such as pill packs, gauze, surgical socks, and syringe tubes. These flags represent waste in America's healthcare system, both figuratively and literally. They explore the equality of those who have access to healthcare. Minorities, women, and people of lower socioeconomic status receive different care than wealthy white men. Alongside the flags, abortion access maps, constructed from similar debris, show in which states reproductive rights are banned or are safe and legal. These maps lay bare the consequences of political decisions on real bodies.

Together, these works ask: "What does it mean to pledge allegiance to a nation where geography, wealth, gender, and race determine who has access to care?"

"Red, White, and Bruised" invites viewers to reflect on national pride, laws, and personal health. It challenges us to envision a country where care and choice are universal rights, not privileges.