Artwork
Not the Church and Not the State. A Woman's Right to Choose Abortion On Demand
Not the Church and Not the State. A Woman's Right to Choose Abortion On Demand is a poster by Red Dragon Print Collective. It dates from 1976 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Produced in 1976 by the Red Dragon Print Collective, this poster advocates for reproductive rights through bold graphic design. Part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection, it merges visual immediacy with direct messaging to challenge institutional authority over women’s bodily autonomy.
Subject & Meaning
The poster centers on collective resistance, depicting a crowd with raised fists and expressive faces, evoking protest energy. Above them, diminutive figures—a nun, judge, and politician—are framed as obstacles to self-determination. The text asserts a demand for unrestricted abortion access, positioning personal choice against religious and legal control.
Technique & Style
Employing stark contrasts, the design uses red figures against a dark ground to heighten visibility and urgency. The composition layers symbolic imagery with bold typography, prioritizing clarity and impact. This approach aligns with activist print traditions, where directness amplifies political statements.
History & Provenance
Created during a period of intensified debate over abortion rights in the UK, the poster emerged from grassroots printmaking. The Red Dragon Print Collective, known for its radical graphics, produced it as part of broader campaigns. It entered the Victoria and Albert Museum’s holdings as an example of protest ephemera.
Context
The work reflects mid-1970s feminist activism, responding to legal restrictions on abortion and opposition from religious institutions. Its demand for ‘free abortion on demand’ aligns with contemporaneous movements advocating for full reproductive autonomy, challenging state and ecclesiastical power.
Legacy
As a document of feminist print activism, the poster remains relevant in discussions about reproductive rights and visual protest. Its inclusion in museum collections underscores the role of graphic art in political movements, preserving the urgency of its original message for later audiences.
Artist & collection
Artist
This 1976 screen-print poster turns protest into art. Titled *Not the Church and Not the State. A Woman's Right to Choose Abortion On Demand*, it belongs to the urgent visual language of 1970s political posters. Bold…
