International Women's Day, 2020
Ode to Pioneering Women 2018–2020
Hosier Lane, Melbourne
In 2018 I created Ode to Pioneering Women; an illustrative paste-up installation that celebrates the lives of radical women, while acknowledging the absence of monuments to women in the city of Melbourne, and around the world. This installation highlights the historical achievements of women that go unrecognised in public space.
The subjects for my paste-up are close to me; Narelle Grech (who passed in 2013) was my best friend and an activist and spokesperson for donor conceived people, and Alli Coster, a friend who embodies the inner strength and generosity of everyday women.
In 2019, my ongoing monument series, Ode to Pioneering Women grew from depicting Narelle Grech and Alli Coster to representing five more women.
These women include disability activist, journalist and comedian Stella Young, Indigenous community advocate & Yorta Yorta Elder, Aunty Pam, the first woman to stand for national parliament and Suffragette Vida Goldstein, Young Australian of the Year Merita Cheng and Equal Rights Activist Zelda D’Aprano.
In 2020 my monument series, Ode to Pioneering Women concluded with a final addition to the series, jazz singer, transgender and queer person of colour, Mama Alto.
Equility
Hosier Lane, Melbourne
Equility signifies the unity of women and the power we have when we come together. Quilting in itself is a practical technique, bringing together layers of fabric and pattern to provide physical protection and insulation. Quilt making, with its rich history, was often made by women and brought them together.
Equility is a photographic paste up that features facts and issues surrounding violence against women, body positivity, feminism, and gender equality.
I was extremely fortunate to have some international artists come on board, and give me permission to use their artwork in the quilt. American cartoonist and author Liana Finck, Illustrator and designer from the UK, Robyn Ridley and activist and craftivist Shannon Downey aka 'Badass Cross Stitch'. The handprints on the quilt belong to some of the women who contributed their artwork, or support on the day.
Anybody at all
Hosier Lane, Melbourne
Anybody at all is my vision through the eyes of my daughter, taking in the world around her. I suddenly noticed more than ever how male-centric picture books and kids TV could be.
Through the development of this artwork, I had conversations with my daughter about what she wanted to be when she grew up, and about how the options are limitless.
Anybody at all is a photographic paste up installed with my daughter’s assistance.
My hope is that artwork would inspire other parents and kids to have the same conversations about who they can be, regardless of their gender.
Other participants and artworks
