“We Hold These Truths To Be Self Evident”
“We Hold These Truths To Be Self Evident” turns male politicians’ most appalling comments about women into a striking mural.
With each election cycle and legislative session, it seems almost guaranteed that a male politician will utter something shockingly ignorant or offensive regarding women and their bodies. This leaves many women feeling disheartened, questioning how these men are permitted to shape laws that directly impact their lives.
This frustrating experience served as the catalyst for artists Lila Thompson and Mia Reynolds to create their collaborative mural, “We Hold These Truths To Be Self Evident.” Displayed at New York Live Arts, this artwork features 37 quotes from male politicians regarding women’s rights and bodies.
“We’ve been discussing the overwhelming number of distressing statements made about women throughout the political landscape,” Thompson explained to Vice Creators. “This mural project is based on research and aims to highlight the cumulative impact of negativity, hate, and the dismissal of scientific facts that bewilder us regarding women and girls.”
She further emphasized, “The misunderstanding of the female body and reproductive health is alarming. Our goal was to craft a statement that is not only striking but also visually captivating, as beauty and art are our forms of expression.”
The mural’s 37 quotes are overlaid on an image of white men seated around a conference table—accompanied by a subtle depiction of an odalisque on the mantle. The quotes come from notable figures, including Bill Clinton, Mike Huckabee, Jeb Bush, and Ted Kennedy, with four quotes from former President Donald Trump and several from his advisors. Each quote is numbered and linked to a key that provides context and identifies the speaker.
Many quotes are graphic in nature, with some suggesting that rape is a part of life or that women fabricate such experiences. In the lead-up to the mural’s unveiling, Thompson shared several of the quotes on Instagram.
“This project aims to convey to women that we hear you,” Thompson stated. “We want to empower you. If you’ve experienced being grabbed, assaulted, or objectified, we want you to know we stand with you and need to unite.”
She added, “I hope this initiative sparks conversations about accountability, especially in how we raise future generations. I’m deeply concerned about the messages young people will internalize… We must discuss the significance of language and its influence on actions and beliefs.”
“We Hold These Truths To Be Self Evident” will remain on display at the Ford Foundation Live Gallery at New York Live Arts through the spring season.
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In summary, Lila Thompson and Mia Reynolds’ mural serves as a powerful response to the harmful rhetoric surrounding women, aiming to promote awareness and dialogue about accountability and empowerment.