An extract from the registration form for the 'I am Woman' exhibition explains the background for the exhibition.
"2018 marks the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New Zealand.
On 19 September 1893 the Electoral Act 1893 was passed, giving all women in New Zealand the right to vote.
As a result of this landmark legislation, New Zealand became the first self-governing country in the world in which all women had the right to vote in parliamentary elections.
I AM Woman celebrates the anniversary by inviting artists to share their own ‘take’ on womanhood..... triumphs, challenges, concerns, spirituality, the mundane, expectations......
The artist is asked to dig deep, to identify parts of herself that define what it means for her to be a woman.
You may have an ancestor who inspires you. It might be your own personal story. It might be the vision you have for a daughter or granddaughter’s future.
The brief is wide. Each woman has a unique view of her place in the world through her own personal journey. No two stories are the same.
The exhibition is open to Taranaki female artists. "
The exhibition has been curated by Rhonda Banyon who is the director of the gallery.
"2018 marks the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New Zealand.
On 19 September 1893 the Electoral Act 1893 was passed, giving all women in New Zealand the right to vote.
As a result of this landmark legislation, New Zealand became the first self-governing country in the world in which all women had the right to vote in parliamentary elections.
I AM Woman celebrates the anniversary by inviting artists to share their own ‘take’ on womanhood..... triumphs, challenges, concerns, spirituality, the mundane, expectations......
The artist is asked to dig deep, to identify parts of herself that define what it means for her to be a woman.
You may have an ancestor who inspires you. It might be your own personal story. It might be the vision you have for a daughter or granddaughter’s future.
The brief is wide. Each woman has a unique view of her place in the world through her own personal journey. No two stories are the same.
The exhibition is open to Taranaki female artists. "
The exhibition has been curated by Rhonda Banyon who is the director of the gallery.
ipu whenua - Kahikatea is a small ephemeral sculptural installation which I have used as a metaphor for this stage of my life
I have written a poem to express some thoughts & feelings about that & also generally about being a woman
i am woman
i am open
i am resilient
i am fragile
i can be damaged
i will hold you
i will laugh with you
i will cry with you
i can carry you
i will nurture you though you may not be mine
i will accept you & you will have a place in my heart
& when you leave i will always cry
i am finite
i am imperfect
i am doing what i can
& when i'm gone there will be others & our stories will combine & they will be whispered by the wind
November 2018
I have written a poem to express some thoughts & feelings about that & also generally about being a woman
i am woman
i am open
i am resilient
i am fragile
i can be damaged
i will hold you
i will laugh with you
i will cry with you
i can carry you
i will nurture you though you may not be mine
i will accept you & you will have a place in my heart
& when you leave i will always cry
i am finite
i am imperfect
i am doing what i can
& when i'm gone there will be others & our stories will combine & they will be whispered by the wind
November 2018
I have enjoyed immensely the process of making for this exhibition.
It was equally cathartic & therapeutic. It has enabled me to chuck a lot of 'shit' out.
It has allowed me to accept the role I have moved in to at this stage of my life & I am genuinely happy to be here.
You could say relieved even.
I don't want to live in the past.
I acknowledge the past & the effect it has had on every living thing.
What is done is done.
I want to live now & for the future. We can do that together.
If, however, I've let you go it's because I've needed to.
I've decided to let your life continue without me in it.
It's your life after all.
There's only one aspect of the exhibition which has made me sad.
'All work must be for sale and the gallery will charge a commission . . . . '
I just don't believe this is how a woman would do it.
with love
Sal x
It was equally cathartic & therapeutic. It has enabled me to chuck a lot of 'shit' out.
It has allowed me to accept the role I have moved in to at this stage of my life & I am genuinely happy to be here.
You could say relieved even.
I don't want to live in the past.
I acknowledge the past & the effect it has had on every living thing.
What is done is done.
I want to live now & for the future. We can do that together.
If, however, I've let you go it's because I've needed to.
I've decided to let your life continue without me in it.
It's your life after all.
There's only one aspect of the exhibition which has made me sad.
'All work must be for sale and the gallery will charge a commission . . . . '
I just don't believe this is how a woman would do it.
with love
Sal x
ps
my label details read:
Name of Artwork: ipu whenua - Kahikatea
Name of artist: Sally Hikaka
Medium: hue, harakeke & muka, soil, kahikatea seedling, greywacke pebble
Price: POA
my label details read:
Name of Artwork: ipu whenua - Kahikatea
Name of artist: Sally Hikaka
Medium: hue, harakeke & muka, soil, kahikatea seedling, greywacke pebble
Price: POA
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