The Illegal Operation, 1962

Polyester resin, paint, shopping cart, furniture,
concrete, lamp, cloth, bedpan, and medical implements
59 x 48 x 54 in.

The Illegal Operation, 1962, deals with high tension social issue of abortion over a decade be before it was legalized. This piece shows Kienholz’ interest in social and political subjects and creating work that evokes an uncomfortable feeling in the viewer. This also was one of the first pieces to shift towards a “tableax” style, staging of an area instead of a single constructed object.