Join photographers Phoebe Wingrove and Emily Damyan for an artist presentation and panel discussion that openly explores the topic of abortion. The talk will touch on current attitudes, knowledge about and access to abortion services and using art as a recovery process.

Emily Damyan’s exhibition for Photo Fringe, The Weight of Silence, explores the stigmatisation of abortion and the emotional difficulties arising from her own abortion. She describes the project as “having been cathartic in processing trauma”—helping her to reclaim her narrative, space, and autonomy. Drawing on this body of work, Emily will outline her approach to this project, and its personal and wider impact.

Following on from this, Phoebe Wingrove will lead a panel discussion that explores current attitudes to abortion, how these affect our access to information and services, and our reproductive choices.

The panellists include:

Emily Damyan, From Nottingham, Emily works with photography, sculpture and installation. The Weight of Silence is her most recent project.

Sandy Comber, PhD researcher and lecturer at the University of Chichester. Her current research focuses on the biopolitics of motherhood.

Ash Lipasek, has a background in healthcare. They currently work in Brighton, where they support local women's groups and charities through a trauma-informed approach to recovery.

Content warning: This event includes intimate and medical wording with imagery about abortion, which some may find triggering. There will be a quiet space available if audience members need to take a break.