Anti-Trump ‘NASTY WOMEN’ Art Show Raises $50,000 for Planned Parenthood

The hit exhibition will be restaged around the world.

Inna Babaeva, Marianne Renoir (2016). Courtesy of Inna Babaeva.

Nearly 600 self-proclaimed “NASTY WOMEN” showed their art at the Knockdown Center in Maspeth, Queens, January 12–15, raising over $50,000 to support Planned Parenthood.

The show takes its name from the third presidential debate, when then-candidate Donald Trump interrupted Hillary Clinton, the first woman nominated to the presidency by a major party, to say that she was “such a nasty woman.” The former reality star defeated Clinton, former secretary of state, New York senator, and first lady, despite a complete lack of political experience.

After an open call on social media for female artists to participate in an anti-Trump group show, all works on view ended up selling.

“We were thrilled by the overwhelming response of women artists, who were spurred to action and joined us in this protest of the threats to women’s rights by the incoming administration,” said exhibition co-curators Jessamyn Fiore and Roxanne Jackson in a statement. “This exhibition is an action of solidarity and presence, a statement of resistance.”

Trump, who will be inaugurated as president on January 20, has bragged about being so famous that he could grope womencriticized women’s appearances, and claimed that there should be “some form of punishment” for women who have abortions. At least twelve women have also accused the President-elect of sexual harassment and assault.

"NASTY WOMEN" at the Knockdown Center. Courtesy of EPW Studios/Maris Hutchinson, 2017.

“NASTY WOMEN” at the Knockdown Center. Courtesy of EPW Studios/Maris Hutchinson, 2017.

Throughout the weekend, over 4,000 visitors passed through the Knockdown Center, enjoying the exhibition’s accompanying “STAY NASTY” programming, which featured more than 70 musicians and performers. Of the nearly 1,000 artworks on view, all were priced at less than $100.

After the initial funds were raised for Planned Parenthood, an additional $8,020 raised by the $20 general admission tickets went toward Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, the New York Immigration Coalition, Girls for Gender Equity, and SisterSong.

Future iterations of the show will be held around the world, in cities including San Diego, California; Lubbock, Texas; Brussels, Belgium; Memphis, Tennessee; and Melbourne, Australia.

Kaylee Koss, <em>Malos Ojos</em> (2015). Courtesy of Kaylee Koss.

Kaylee Koss, Malos Ojos (2015). Courtesy of Kaylee Koss.

A framework of large-scale block letters reading “NASTY WOMEN” featured the artworks in the Knockdown Center’s 50,000-square-foot space. In addition to musical performances by female and gender-non-conforming artists such as Genesis P-Orridge of Psychic TV, DJ Lauren Flax, and Miho Hatori of Cibo Matto, the center also hosted free educational programming during the day on such topics as immigrants’ rights and women’s and community health issues.

“The event depended,” said Knockdown Center co-director Michael Merck in a statement, “upon the organizing power, experience, and knowledge of artists and activists who have been on the ground in the struggle for human rights long before the election, and who will continue to fight against discrimination and the ongoing battle for women’s autonomy.”

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