typed post-it notes - textile installation
artist statement
Family and domestic violence is at a critical point in Australia. It occurs across all socio-economic and demographic groups, but predominantly affects women and children. On average, one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner, children are also often involved either as witnesses to the violence or victims themselves. In the year 2021-2022, 5606 women (an average of 15 women per day) were hospitalised due to family and domestic violence. One in four women (27%) has experienced violence, emotional abuse, or economic abuse by a cohabitating partner since the age of 15 years. Intimate partner violence is the greatest health risk factor for women aged 25-44 years. Women are at greatest risk in the time shortly after they leave a partner due to domestic violence. Hearing news of a woman's life being tragically taken has become a regular part of our daily or weekly news. It often gets barely a mention and has become a normalised part of life. The language surrounding the reporting of the news has slowly changed in Australia, but we still have a long way to go. This work is a visual representation of the individual cases of femicide that have occurred in 2023. Each reported case has its own dedicated "Post-It" note. A few facts are typed onto the yellow fabric recording the news and the circumstances of her death. Ages, places, the relationship of perpetrators are given where possible. Cases are numbered and every effort has been made to record each life lost to violence against women who, in most cases were killed in their home. It is hoped that when we see just how many cases there have been so far this year that we will be shaken into action. I have chosen to record only the deaths of women. Not all murdered victims of domestic violence are men, but the overwhelming majority are. Not all perpetrators of domestic violence are men, but the overwhelming majority are. This work is about the violence perpetrated on women. At the opening of this exhibition a young boy asked his mother after reading one of the Post-It notes, "Is this true mum?" to which she replied "Yes." His response "We really need to do something about this." |
she matters
10cm (h) x 10cm (w) materials: yellow fabric, interfacing, typewriter ink, sewing thread description: Post-It note sized messages typed on fabric squares detailing the deaths of women and children as a result of domestic violence in 2023 in Australia. 2023 'The girl who climbed trees' solo exhibition - tamworth regional gallery NSW
The media have guidelines for reporting violence against women to use respectful language and headlines that articulate the seriousness of the violence. To avoid language that can inadvertently blame victims, excuse decisions made by perpetrators, or perpetuates harmful stereotypes about gender, race, disability, sexuality, or age.
"Good blokes do not murder their families. They don't abuse their wives. They don't harm their daughters and sons. And they certainly don't murder their grandchildren." - Rebecca Poulson for The Sydney Morning Herald. |