17 May to 26 June 2022
OFFICIAL OPENING: Friday 20 May, 5.30–7.30pm
A collaboration of like-minded, local women artists showcasing their powerful and emotional feminist works.
Exhibiting artists include...
Barbara Bazett
Vicky Graham
Glenice Griffiths
Deborah Hoare
Sherry Iszmail
Julie Kruger
Liz Marmo
Olwen Steel
Jen Tait
Joanne Woods
Christina Zei
Liz Marmo, organiser of ‘Sisters’, who is also exhibiting, acknowledged that sometimes awareness can drop off about issues affecting women and bringing together their artworks, with a feminist theme, keeps these important causes in the limelight.
In February 2017 Judy Langridge brought people together for the inaugural STEP OUT Against Violence community march, which each year continues to protest gender-based violence.
“It is appalling to see the current statistics in Australia, with an increase in violence over the last couple of years, it’s just not good enough. Coming together as a community against this is a small step forward” says Liz Marmo. This exhibition is adding a new dimension to the STEP OUT campaign.
Key statistics on violence against women in Australia:
On average, one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner
1 in 3 women (30.5%) has experienced physical violence since the age of 15
1 in 5 women (18%) has experienced sexual violence since the age of 15
1 in 3 women (31.1%) has experienced physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by a man they know
1 in 4 women (23%) has experienced physical or sexual violence by a current or former intimate partner since age 15
Jen Tait, artist and business owner of several local businesses (creating employment and equality for people with a disability) is excited to be involved in the exhibition and explains why, “Feminism is the belief in full social, economic, and political equality for women. Seems reasonable, and not particularly controversial, or threatening – everyone should be a feminist. A man murders one woman or one girl per week in this country, OUR country. We are still waiting to see equal distribution of the sexes in our government, and women are still economically disadvantaged, with older women becoming the most likely to be homeless. Feminism is absolutely still relevant and will remain relevant until men stop murdering women and girls just because they are women and girls, and when we have equal representation in government, and when women and men are equally valued in the workforce.”
Art has been central to community and culture forever and using art to stoke the fire of activism and keep conversations going is one way to ensure we keep talking about issues that really matter. Jen’s medium is community activism, writing, and of course, art. “I have been creating feminist art for 30 years. I prefer acrylics because it’s easy to wash off my hands when I’m done having fun with paint. Images are powerful, which is why I like to also use art for my activism”.
“We wish to raise awareness of the effects violence and abuse has on the lives and minds of women and children, their physical, mental, and emotional health – relationships, housing, financial independence, and the ability to gain and keep a job. Enough is enough, we will not stand for violence any longer in our community, against anyone.”
