A Stroud-based not-for-profit organisation that aims to expose the patriarchy and end male violence against women and girls (MVAWG) is launching a new exhibition in time for International Women’s Day.
The organisation, This Ends Now (TEN), is hosting the exhibition with Gallery 57, an independent gallery and shop in Newport.
The exhibition will consist of feminist artwork inspired TEN’s Words Matter campaign – a campaign launched to change the victim-blaming and misogynistic language used by the police and media when reporting on sexual offences and violence.
The exhibition launches on Thursday 7th March at 6pm and attendees are invited to stop by for a complimentary glass of prosecco and listen to speakers from Gallery 57 as well as This Ends Now co-founder, Sydney McAllister.
Laura Harris, the exhibition curator, said: “While building this exhibition, we collated a strong community of women who have either experiences sexual assault or have seen the victim blaming and misogyny associated with it. The exhibition expresses these themes through painting, graphic design, textile and sculpture. This exhibition draws on these important stories and why change needs to happen in our society.
“It has been a great privilege to curate this exhibition as it holds such relevance in our society today and it’s been so close to my heart, being a woman who has had my own experiences of misogyny throughout most of my life.”
Sydney McAllister, co-founder and director of TEN, said: “Our Words Matter campaign is all about changing the language we use when referring to incidents of male violence against women and girls (MVAWG), to prevent victim blaming and misogyny within the police and media. We are so grateful to Gallery 57, Laura Harris and all of the incredible artists for supporting This Ends Now this International Women’s Day. We look forward to an evening of celebration and open discussion about the importance of language in ending MVAWG.”
Tickets are available here, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/words-matter-exhibition-launch-registration-805804341477 and are free, but donations to TEN are greatly appreciated.
The exhibition will be open until the 28th March.
