Antonia Wright: State of Labor

Explore the intersection of art and activism at Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) with Antonia Wright: State of Labor, on view from September 5 through February 9. Through a multidisciplinary approach involving sound, video, performance and sculpture, Miami-based artist Antonia Wright examines societal power dynamics, emotion and control.

This sound art installation responds to the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which eliminated the constitutional right to abortion. Using data sonification, Wright transforms statistical data into sound, reflecting the increased distances many people must now travel for reproductive care. The installation incorporates personal and visceral audio recordings from active labor, including Wright’s own home birth, to juxtapose the intimate human experience with the broader implications of policy changes.

As driving distances increase due to abortion bans, the work evolves, shifting from softer labor sounds to the intense and raw vocalizations of contractions. The algorithm’s data is sourced from the Guttmacher Institute, underscoring the tangible impact of these legal shifts, particularly on low-income and marginalized communities. Wright's installation aims to amplify the conversation around bodily autonomy and the real-life effects of restrictive reproductive policies.