The Artists' Campaign to Repeal the Eighth Amendment was set up in 2015 by visual artists Cecily Brennan, Alice Maher, Eithne Jordan, and the poet Paula Meehan. It began as an online campaign appealing to fellow artists, writers, musicians, and actors to put their names to a statement calling for a repeal of the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland (Article 40.3.3). The aim of the campaign group was to promote national and international awareness of the restrictive reproductive laws of Ireland and to encourage and inspire other groups and activists to use cultural means to promote social change.
The group went on to have a large presence at various demonstration marches including March for Choice (2016 & 2017), Strike for Repeal (2017), and International Women's Day (2018). Exhibitions and events included Day of Testimonies (2017) held at Project Arts Centre, Art and Action (2017) held at NCAD Gallery, EVA International Biennial (2018) held in Limerick, various Shred It events (2017-2018), 20 Seconds for Yes (2018) and Witness (2018).
The Artists' Campaign to Repeal the Eighth Amendment played a leading role in the decisive referendum with "an unprecedented intervention in the public life of the State on the part of artists". This unique archive is documentary evidence of "a decisive moment in the interface between artists and public policy".
Physical archive materials held at NIVAL may be consulted in the Reading Room by appointment only. Request an appointment by email nivalinfo@staff.ncad.ie
4 series with 113 files containing over 2800 digital images, videos, audio files, and documents.
Some materials have been redacted to exclude personal contact information only.
