Testifying Through Tattoos

An Interview with Evie Yapelli.

This was originally published in 2016.

We Testify: What was your first reaction when we called and told you about We Testify? 

Evie Yapelli: I was honored that you wanted my work to represent the project. I first met Yamani Hernandez [Executive Director of the National Network of Abortion Funds] briefly many years ago, while I was working at a tattoo studio during my tattoo apprenticeship [in Chicago]. I ran into her again a few years later, and she told me that I had stood out to her as someone who was welcoming and kind. When she later reached out about We Testify, I was very flattered that she’d continued to follow my work, and that you all saw something special in it. And I felt very proud that my kindness had been meaningful to her, and led to something years later that I couldn’t have predicted. I wasn’t familiar with your organization at the time, so I looked up the website to learn more about it. Right away, I saw that it was something I’d be proud to support. I’m a pro-choice feminist, and while I’ve never fully been an activist, I’d say I’ve always had activist leanings. I wasn’t totally sure what the project would entail, and I had no idea of its scope (which I later found was impressively far reaching!), but I was sure that I wanted to seize the chance to do something with my art that would support abortion access.  

WT: What motivated you to not only support We Testify with your art, but through donations?

EY: First of all, I’d like to say that supporting We Testify with my art was particularly powerful for me. I struggled for a long time before I found my career, and part of the reason is that while I was always drawn to making art, I didn’t feel like it was a purposeful enough career. I come from a family with the kinds of careers that unquestionably help people – my mom just retired from a career as a special education teacher, my dad is a psychologist, and my extended family is full of doctors, lawyers, activists, and volunteers. It took some personal work to decide that it was okay to pursue a creative career simply because it was what I loved. I’ve used my artwork before to support causes I believe in, mainly by donating paintings to art sales and auctions for various organizations. But it was new to me to be able to do something with my art that was purposeful at this scale. Like I said before, I didn’t realize the scope of the project when I started it. The first time I saw how you had put my work into context was when it was used on signs at the [Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt] Supreme Court rally earlier this year. I was speechless; I’d had no idea that it would be used in that context and I felt so moved and so proud. I thought to myself, if I never do anything great again with my work, I will die happy knowing that I was a part of this. It was a real gift.

On the morning of November 8th, We Testify tagged me on Twitter to point out a post from a woman who had gotten a tattoo of one of the images I’d created for the campaign. Renee Bracey Sherman [Senior Public Affairs Manager of the National Network Abortion Funds] and Yamani both mentioned that they’d been thinking about having one tattooed as well. I said I’d love to be the one to do it, and I started thinking that it would be meaningful to donate the amount back to We Testify. Then, I thought about the Taco or Beer Challenge that abortion funds started over the summer, and how cool it would be to do something similar with tattoos. Later that same day, we all found out the results of the presidential election. I was devastated along with millions of others. After a day or two had passed, a friend of mine reached out with the idea of planning an event in our community that would provide resources and raise donations. I felt better for the first time, suddenly hopeful and empowered. Then I remembered the idea I’d had about donating tattoo earnings from the We Testify images, and decided to act on that too. My hope is that it will reach further than I can. Obviously, I can only do so many tattoos, and only for people who are able to come to my studio. But the designs can be shared with tattooers everywhere. As part of the idea, I’m encouraging any interested tattooers to please use the designs and donate the profits. I’m also encouraging people not in my area who want one of the designs tattooed to please take the design to their local tattooer and then match the amount (or whatever amount they can!) in a donation to We Testify.