Contemporary Artists Take on Reproductive Health at the Loeb Art Center

The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar tapped into the national discourse on the topic of women’s health with Reproductive: Health, Fertility, Agency, a thoughtful and sensitive exhibition that delves into the complex psychological, physical, and emotional landscape of issues related to fertility. The exhibition features works by renowned contemporary artists, including Laia Abril, Candice Breitz, Elinor Carucci, Jess T. Dugan, Krista Franklin, Candy Guinea, KING COBRA (aka Doreen Garner), Joanne Leonard, Wangechi Mutu, and Carmen Winant. These artists and others explore the experiences of women and individuals assigned female at birth as they navigate the complex realities of fertility and the reproductive cycle.

Organized by the Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP) at Columbia College, Chicago, this exhibition iteration is uniquely presented at the Loeb. The exhibition has been curated by MoCP Chief Curator and Deputy Director Karen Irvine and Curator of Academic Programs and Collections Kristin Taylor, with local oversight by Jessica D. Brier, Curator of Photography at the Loeb Art Center, and made possible through the generous support of the Friends of the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center Exhibition Fund.

“In bringing this exhibition to Vassar, it is important to me that we consider—and provide support for—our campus community and the larger surrounding community in presenting this material,” Brier said, noting that “many of the experiences referenced by the artists in the exhibition are deeply personal and will likely prompt a variety of responses for visitors.” She added that over the past year, the Loeb team worked “to design new ways of supporting visitors through the physical experience of the exhibition, opportunities for personal and collective reflection, public programs, and cross-campus partnerships. It is our hope that the exhibition will be a hub for the important work that these partners do in the realms of reproductive health, justice, and rights.”

Reproductive: Health, Fertility, Agency brings together diverse artistic perspectives to address critical issues, including birth, miscarriage, pleasure, access to abortion, trauma, and the loss of fertility. Through a range of media and approaches, the artists provide a space for reflection and dialogue on these vital topics, challenging viewers to engage with the complexities of reproductive experiences and the pursuit of agency.

The exhibition launched on October 3 with an opening reception featuring a conversation between artists Krista Franklin and Joanne Leonard and curators Karen Irvine and Kristin Taylor. It will be on view through February 2, 2025.