Maser's 'Repeal the 8th' Mural: The power of public art in the age of social media

O'Hara, L. (2020) Maser's 'Repeal the 8th' Mural: The power of public art in the age of social media. In: Browne, K. and Calkin, S. (eds.) After Repeal: Rethinking Abortion Politics. Zed Publications: London. ISBN 9781786997173

Abstract

This chapter, part of the edited volume titled After Repeal: Rethinking Abortion Politics (Browne and Calkin eds, 2020) reflects on the battle over public space that has characterised the debate over abortion access in Ireland in recent years. Specifically, it focuses on a piece by Dublin street artist, Maser. The 'Repeal the 8th' mural originally appeared in the Summer of 2016 and was subsequently removed, then reinstated (in Spring 2018) and removed once more. Through analysing this piece of public art and the controversy surrounding it, this chapter demonstrates how street art reveals the contentious nature of public space and the possibilities for political engagement created through hybrid (digital-material) forms of public art.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: O'Hara, Dr Lorna
• Authors: O'Hara, L.
• Subjects: D History General and Old World > D History (General); D History General and Old World > D History (General) > D204 Modern History; G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General); N Fine Arts > NX Arts in general
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences > Geography
• Publisher: Zed Publications
• ISBN: 9781786997173