Public Artwork
International Women's Day Hosier Lane
In 2018, in response to another artist’s anti-rape artwork that was defaced in Hosier Lane, I was part of a parents group who formed to create the first feminist art intervention in Hosier Lane. On International Women’s Day, 8th March, 2018, around 15 people attended including babies, partners and children. Over the course of the day the group installed crochet snowflakes, activist bunting and paste-ups.
In the years that followed I continued to coordinate a group of artists to install their work on International Women’s Day in Hosier Lane, Melbourne.
In 2020 I extended the call out beyond the feminist parents group to include all cis and trans women, as well as non-binary people who felt comfortable participating in an event that focuses on the experiences of women. And again, children, babies and partners were welcome on the day.
The aim of the event was to create a safe space for everyone to express themselves and exhibit their artwork. It is also about reclaiming public space for women, trans, non-binary and children and their voices as street art is highly dominated by men.
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.
My body, my consent
Hosier Lane, Melbourne
International Women's Day, 2019
My body, my consent was inspired after I witnessed a relative forcibly shove her unwashed fingers in my 6 month old daughters mouth to search for emerging baby teeth. This artwork was for my daughter and all children.
My body, my consent is a photographic paste up installed in Hosier Lane, with the help of my daughter, who at the time was almost 2 years old. The placement of this artwork is intentionally at a small child’s height, so that both installation and interaction of the artwork focuses on younger children.
The aim of this work is to teach body autonomy in children and inspire adults to discuss consent with their kids. A child who knows that they are in control of their body is less likely to fall victim to sexual abuse, sexual assault and later intimate partner violence. They're also more likely to disclose any abusive events that should happen to them.
Equility
Hosier Lane, Melbourne
International Women's Day, 2020
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
International Women's Day, 2020
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.
The kids are…ok
Hosier Lane, Melbourne
International Women's Day, 2021
The kids are…ok explores the impact that the COVID 19 pandemic and the extended lockdowns in Melbourne, Australia have had on children. For social cognitive development, it is vital that children have opportunities for play and social interaction.
By keeping children away from their peers, the negative impact is a reduction of social communication. Between 2020–21, numerous lockdowns meant that playgrounds, schools, kindergartens and childcare were closed. Therefore children missed out on crucial creative play with other children, which aids them in their ability to learn to empathise, compromise and manage emotions.
The kids are…ok is a photographic paste up installed in Hosier Lane, with the help of my daughter who at the time was almost 4 years old. The placement of this artwork is intentionally at a small child’s height, so that both installation and interaction of the artwork focuses on younger children.
