Art / exhibition
Women of all backgrounds and ages unite for intergenerational art exhibition
Arising from creative workshops organised by Bristol Women’s Voice earlier, Unwavering Beauty explores ageing and personal experience.
Opening in the Create Centre in Spike Island, the exhibition organised in collaboration with the charity Alive, brings together works from people of varied age groups, responding to life’s challenges and patriarchal assumptions.
Pre-used swimsuits acted as canvases for the participants in an idea inspired by Bristol-based artist Amanda Hall and adapted by Eva-Živa Blažková and Judith Brown.
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Participants – both young and old – came together for a series of intergenerational workshops – photo: Bristol Women’s Voice
The exhibition is the showcase of work created by participants in workshops held by Bristol Women’s Voice in June and July.
For Sue Santi, an 83-year-old workshop participant, the project was a way for her “to pause and reflect on what ageing has meant to me”.
She added: “The embellishment of the swimsuit tells the story of how I came from an abusive and traumatised childhood, where I felt ugly, useless and worthless.
“The work on the swimsuit shows how the abuse, family and illness affected my heart, but has also taught me and informed the creativity that flows from my core. This is demonstrated by the ragged lace flowing up my body – a sexuality that was inhibited and damaged, but which emerged in my creativity.
For Santi the workshop facilitated an outlet for her years of trauma, allowing her to transform her emotions into art.
Another participant, 36-year-old, Katherine Grant, used a poem from her nanna’s study as inspiration to create art that reflects judgmental perceptions about women.
“My piece looks back. It is extravagant, bold and fun, a patchwork of purple and gold. Purple has a lot of meanings – royalty, loyalty, wisdom, creativity, compassion, rebellion, Suffragettes, Sappho’s violets,” she added.
“My piece is covered in eyes looking out, stars shining, flowers blooming. I want to continue ageing into confidence.”
Katy Taylor, CEO of the Bristol Women’s Voice, said: “We wanted to bring into focus the expectations and actions that women’s bodies are subject to.
“This project brought together women of all ages and backgrounds to tell their stories of resistance.”
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The exhibition is open August 4-8, 9am to 5pm and is free to visit
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