One Red Thread Exhibition 2021 - EmpoweRED
One Red Thread 2021 - Empowered
A friend contacted me on Saturday morning & we exchanged text messages. I was sewing & watching a catch-up of Q&A, I was in awe of one speaker Yasmin Poole. I mentioned that I was sorry I didn’t attend the march in Canberra. Her reply was: “I feel sick about it!”
After a few messages back & forth, Donna asked if I would consider the One Red Thread theme for 2021 as “Empowered”. Then came lots of enthusiastic messages about showcasing a 'Needlework Demonstration' & a possible media release headline: “Textile Artists unite with a Needlework Demonstration”.
Donna had recently visited the National Gallery of Australia & found an interesting piece on display. The words ‘Needlework Demonstrations’ jumped out at her. This is what jumped out at me:
“The art of the NEEDLE has it’s roots in our daily life. Of all branches of art it is the most single, intimate and democratic, and is therefore indispensable to the educational and artistic development of the people."
Author: Elizabeth Glasier Foster from her book “Constructive & Decorative Stitchery” 1927
Funny how some things unfold. A little like the current situations & mood that is unfolding in front of us at the moment in our political and social arenas.
We all know about these issues. I doubt there is not one woman out there who hasn’t gone through her life, both professionally and/or privately and been affected by the unjust nature of sexism, unwanted attention or worse. The recent appalling situations that have been brought to light in our political system have made me angry and ashamed.
The bravery of Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins who have spoken about the horrors they have each endured. The admiration I feel for both of them and for the women who marched in Canberra & around the country and my sadness at not standing among them.
A recent report of our elderly women who have endured sexual assault & rape in aged care facilities. I make reference to The Drum - Tuesday 9 March (abc.net.au): 2,520 sexual assaults occurred in residential aged care nursing homes 2018/19; that equates to almost 50 sexual assaults each week.
The Drum aired a documentary about Margarita’s story. Margarita was in her 90’s when she was sexually assaulted by the manager in her aged care home in 2018. It was heartbreaking & unfathomable watching Margarita tell her story. Honest & articulate in voicing the damage the act of rape did to her mental health. Everybody that she told, she was dismissed and discredited. Finally she told a trusted staffer at a nearby facility who assisted her to report her abuse to police. Margarita has raised the visibility of this appalling situation. She died in 2019.
A report noted that staff in residential aged care facilities (58%) maintained that sexual assault or rape had no negative impact on the victim.
It raises this question of constant victim blaming & ladies, don’t make yourselves too attractive. How then do we place the blame on Margarita in her 90's? I urge you to watch it that episode of the Drum.
What can I do to make a stand about these injustices, to raise my voice in protest?
Hence “Empowered” gives us an opportunity through art textiles to raise our voices to show solidarity & support to both Grace Tame, Brittany Higgins, Margarita and also to each other.
This exhibition is open to all ages.
I urge you to raise your voice by creating a piece of work that relates to the theme of Empowered.
If not now, when?
Elizabeth Dubbelde
elizabeth@berryquiltingretreat.com.au
A friend contacted me on Saturday morning & we exchanged text messages. I was sewing & watching a catch-up of Q&A, I was in awe of one speaker Yasmin Poole. I mentioned that I was sorry I didn’t attend the march in Canberra. Her reply was: “I feel sick about it!”
After a few messages back & forth, Donna asked if I would consider the One Red Thread theme for 2021 as “Empowered”. Then came lots of enthusiastic messages about showcasing a 'Needlework Demonstration' & a possible media release headline: “Textile Artists unite with a Needlework Demonstration”.
Donna had recently visited the National Gallery of Australia & found an interesting piece on display. The words ‘Needlework Demonstrations’ jumped out at her. This is what jumped out at me:
“The art of the NEEDLE has it’s roots in our daily life. Of all branches of art it is the most single, intimate and democratic, and is therefore indispensable to the educational and artistic development of the people."
Author: Elizabeth Glasier Foster from her book “Constructive & Decorative Stitchery” 1927
Funny how some things unfold. A little like the current situations & mood that is unfolding in front of us at the moment in our political and social arenas.
We all know about these issues. I doubt there is not one woman out there who hasn’t gone through her life, both professionally and/or privately and been affected by the unjust nature of sexism, unwanted attention or worse. The recent appalling situations that have been brought to light in our political system have made me angry and ashamed.
The bravery of Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins who have spoken about the horrors they have each endured. The admiration I feel for both of them and for the women who marched in Canberra & around the country and my sadness at not standing among them.
A recent report of our elderly women who have endured sexual assault & rape in aged care facilities. I make reference to The Drum - Tuesday 9 March (abc.net.au): 2,520 sexual assaults occurred in residential aged care nursing homes 2018/19; that equates to almost 50 sexual assaults each week.
The Drum aired a documentary about Margarita’s story. Margarita was in her 90’s when she was sexually assaulted by the manager in her aged care home in 2018. It was heartbreaking & unfathomable watching Margarita tell her story. Honest & articulate in voicing the damage the act of rape did to her mental health. Everybody that she told, she was dismissed and discredited. Finally she told a trusted staffer at a nearby facility who assisted her to report her abuse to police. Margarita has raised the visibility of this appalling situation. She died in 2019.
A report noted that staff in residential aged care facilities (58%) maintained that sexual assault or rape had no negative impact on the victim.
It raises this question of constant victim blaming & ladies, don’t make yourselves too attractive. How then do we place the blame on Margarita in her 90's? I urge you to watch it that episode of the Drum.
What can I do to make a stand about these injustices, to raise my voice in protest?
Hence “Empowered” gives us an opportunity through art textiles to raise our voices to show solidarity & support to both Grace Tame, Brittany Higgins, Margarita and also to each other.
This exhibition is open to all ages.
I urge you to raise your voice by creating a piece of work that relates to the theme of Empowered.
If not now, when?
Elizabeth Dubbelde
elizabeth@berryquiltingretreat.com.au
Conditions of Entry
- Open age and experience
- Finished size must be no larger than 25cm square
- One entry per person
- One red strand of thread to be included in your work
- A non refundable entry fee of $20.
- An invoice with payment details will be sent by email.
- Closing date for registration and photograph (please send photograph by email) is 11:59pm Monday 7 May
- Entries must be finished within the last 12 months and be the original work of the Artist
- Works to be received no later than 31 May 2021
- Please provide a hanging sleeve 10cm deep across the top width at the back of your work.
- A label recording your name, address and phone number must be securely attached to the back
- Postage & Handling: please provide suitable packaging and appropriate postage for return
- I reserve the right to keep the exhibition for a minimum of 12 months.
- Invitations will be accepted for ORT2021 to tour Australia and exhibitions decided upon on your behalf
- You need to provide insurance for loss or damage
- Your entry may be photographed and used for advertising, editorial, website, Facebook and Instagram
- Liability: although all care is taken you accept that you are entering your work at your own risk
- By submitting this registration you agree to the conditions of entry