I made this piece in honour of the Women's March, during the inauguration of Donald Trump. I have a difficult time managing my anxiety about crowds of people, so I didn't feel up to actually physically marching on the day. Instead, I opted to show my support in the best way I know how. Visually.

Though I am Canadian, I use a lot of American imagery to highlight my expressions. The Statue of Liberty is not only a monument, it's also a monumental symbol of peace and free speech to so many people who live proud to have both of those things. Now a new power represents the country south of me. An openly misogynistic one.

All the work women have put into attaining equality, all the work we still do, feels at risk under such a government as that. The Iron Maiden reference in this painting represents the invisible suffering many millions of people face every day, because equality is not the norm.

The name of this piece, of course, is a pun on suffrage, based on the historical movement for women to achieve the right to vote, which in America, was only finally ratified on Aug. 18th, 1920. Not even 100 Years ago. Canadian women achieved the right to vote by province starting 1916, in Manitoba.

More of my work on Instagram! @rachelsvparry