By Afraa Kori
White Ribbon Art Gallery has returned to Cardinia Cultural Centre (CCC), with emerging and underrated artists continuing the momentum.
The White Ribbon Art Gallery was founded in 2020 during covid restrictions in response to a request from the Cardinia Casey Family Violence Network to form a sub-committee. The sub-committee was to organise an event which was covid safe and compliant with covid restrictions and to be held in November 2020 for White Ribbon Day Australia within the Cardinia and Casey Shires.
President, founder and curator April Whitelaw is committed to create a nation where everyone is safe and free from domestic violence.
“We endeavour to use all art forms to raise awareness about domestic violence, thereby increasing community perceptions, and opening enlightening conversations, to help reduce the prevalence of domestic violence,” she said.
This year’s exhibition theme is “The Courage to Stand Up, Speak Out and End Domestic Violence”. The theme picture is an original artwork by local artist Joulia Bogar, which was auctioned at the opening ceremony held on Thursday November 7 at the Cardinia Cultural Centre.
Overall, there are 70 diverse artworks on display, with 26 artists, including 3 junior artists contributing up to 5 artworks each.
Pakenham’s Athu Pandya is one of the junior artist’s who participated for the first time and it exemplifies the exhibition’s inclusive spirit.
“My art was about celebrating happy summers and winters with my family and friends.
I started art in prep class but I pick up a lot from home. I think kids should go to their primary school for art classes because you get taught a lot,” he said.
The new season’s artwork serves as a platform to share stories of trauma, pain, and healing with the local community.
The artworks displayed and the comments or titles made by the artists in the description are intended to be conversational starters and thought provoking pieces to help the viewer to appreciate domestic violence.
Many residents, visitors, artists and art lovers witnessed the unveiling of a powerful collection dedicated to a topic that often hides in the shadows, domestic violence.
Secretary-leader Lida Chatkiewicz said art is an incredible ability to illuminate difficult subjects, breaking the silence and sparking dialogue.
“This gallery serves not only as a place for artistic expression, but also as a sanctuary for healing, understanding, and education. Each piece displayed here tells a story reflecting the pain, the courage, and the resilience of individuals who have faced violence in their homes. Through the brush strokes and vivid colours, we are reminded of the emotions that often go unspoken. Fear, desperation, hope, and ultimately empowerment. It is our dream that these artworks will evoke empathy and inspire action. We acknowledge the reality of domestic violence.”
“We create an opportunity to challenge societal norms, support survivors, and foster a culture of respect and understanding. Together we can illuminate the darkness encompassing domestic violence and work towards a future where every individual finds safety and support. Let us embark on this journey together with careful reflection, sinful-edging conversation, and meaningful transformation together. Please be inspired to find hope, healing, and dedication for action as we embrace the power of art as a catalyst for positive change
Vice-president Pam Anushika who has been helping the planning of the exhibition for four weeks, is encouraging others to lend their helping hand.
“The exhibition has actually grown since we started, exponentially. I would like to thank April Whitehall for her enormous efforts and unwavering commitment to this society and this organisation, and also helping the community create awareness of domestic violence. We have been a small team, and I’d like to invite all these artists here,“ she said.
“If you would like to join our organisation or whatever company, it’s a very safe place. Through this organisation, we would like to create awareness, education, and get everyone to be involved in the creation of artworks and creating that telling and awareness through these artworks. It’s a safe place, so please consider joining us.”
The White Ribbon Art Gallery accepts any art form which is displayed on their social media platforms and in the chosen gallery for the year.
The committee hopes to display the White Ribbon Art Gallery in other centres around the Cardinia and Casey Shires in the future, as well as our annual exhibition in November at the CCC.
The exhibition is open daily and free to the public until Sunday November 24 2024.
Also running throughout October and available at the exhibition and opening ceremony are raffle tickets. The fundraising raffle will be drawn on the closing day at the Gallery, Sunday November 24 at 2pm. Tickets available from the gallery table at the CCC until 1pm on November 24. $5 per ticket or pay ID – WhiteRibbonArtGallery@gmail.com
