Stephanie Munoz

This semester, I was assigned a project in my World Art 1 class. This project helped me
gain new knowledge and better shape me into a global citizen. I became more aware and applied
skills in communication, taking action, investigating the world, and weighing perspectives. As an
individual, I advanced my knowledge regarding a certain topic; abortion in Ireland. Before this
semester, I did not know anything about Ireland, let alone the fact that women cannot get
abortions, not unless they have an extensive reason for it. I did not know anything about their
government and how severe this issue was on that side of the world. Now, I know so much about
Ireland, their government and their religious beliefs. Their religion, which is mainly catholic,
plays a major role in society and public opinion. People believe that abortion is inhumane and
unmoral so, they outlawed the choice. As a result, women have gotten illegal abortions and have
even died because of the unsanitary conditions they undergo. In other situations, women that
have been denied abortions have died because their body couldnt handle the pregnancy or
because they have a disease, etc. Taking into account the limited options Irish women have when
pregnant, my opinion and perspective regarding the issue has changed. I think women should
have the right to choose and have the option of abortion available without any barrier.
The finished result of my art sculpture is evidence of my growth as a student. It is a
vessel in a shape of a pregnant woman; one that is around two or three months. The figure has an
opening in the stomach in order to show the fetus in her body. The umbilical cord is in shape of
a rosary to represent the church and the Catholic religion. There are also bars around that
opening to show how the babies are pretty much forced or locked in place because Irish
women do not have easy access to abortion. However, there is a lock on the bars and key placed
far from the vessel in a gold box to show that it is accessible under certain circumstances. For
this reason, my partner and I incorporated a bleeding heart that signifies sickness to show the
situation our Irish woman is a going through. This piece of evidence has shown that I have
grown because my knowledge on the issue has greatly increased. I know about the certain
regulations that were passed and what influenced the governments decision- making. Overall, I
know the topic in depth and know it well enough to create a sculpture that would explain the
topic to my audience in a clear, simple way.
This project has also helped me grow as a global citizen. With completing this project
alone, I have learned to weigh perspectives, take action, investigate the world, and communicate
ideas. Before this semester, I personally thought abortion was absolutely wrong and that no
woman should undergo the procedure. I didnt know countries, specifically Ireland, restrict
women from having the choice of abortion and that it is very difficult to get the process
approved. Now my opinion is changed; I believe that women should have the right to their body
and baby. The Irish government should overturn their law and give women the option.
My sculpture and research organizer are both evidence of my growth. It is a sculpture
that explains my topic though visuals. My research organizer is one that is constructed of many
questions regarding my topic. There are columns that had to be filled in with information and my
perspective on the issue as well as how I was going to incorporate my research in my vessel. It
Stephanie Munoz
was a worksheet that helped organize my findings and get me thinking differently. These pieces
of evidence show that I have grown as a global citizen because in order to get to know my topic
well, I had to research both sides of the situation. I had to look at both the negative and positive
aspects of abortion with an open mind and weigh perspectives without a bias. I had to learn about
a different part of the world, their customs and beliefs, etc., making it fall under the
investigating the world category. Our project was to be based on a conflict outside of the U.S.
and my partner and I chose Ireland to research abortion specifically in that place in the world.
We had to learn about their government, laws, religion, customs, etc. Then we were to create a
sculpture in order to communicate ideas and inform others of the topic. We presented in our
schools lobby which was turned into an art exhibit for the day. In the end, we were to look for
organizations that are currently trying to abolish or help resolve this specific issue. We took
action when we decided to help the organization and bring light upon this matter. So in order to
do so, my partner and I created little poppy flowers so that our audience could sign their name on
the back in memory of those who suffered under this abortion law and show their respect or
support for a change in law. These flowers were then shipped to a specific organization along
with a letter and a picture of our project.