Reclaiming Isis – Auset, Exhibition Opening

Reclaiming Isis – Auset will be exhibited at Phyllis Palmer Gallery, La Trobe University, Bendigo from Monday 11 May, 2015 for three weeks. Opening event, Monday 18 May at 5pm. All welcome.

Reclaiming Isis – Filomena, colour photograph, 60 x 60cm, 2015

Reclaiming Isis – Auset is a work that has been evolving for some time. Initially it was a growing despair which began in my cultural upbringing that women should be married, and only when married do they have currency and an attributed value in the community. Unmarried women are perceived as other or remain the responsibility of the father. The value of women as individuals, the equality of women and the acknowledgement of the power of the feminine is the driving force in this work. Currently this is even more relevant with the attacks, deaths, domestic violence and disempowerment of women. Even when women are the victims of violent acts, one of the first responses is to tell the community of women (50% of the population) that parks are not safe for women, why was she out so late, why didn’t she catch a cab. Why is the first response not to ask how can we make our parks, streets and community safe for all women, men and children. Reclaiming Isis – Auset, draws on the Egyptian goddess and her feminine, maternal, and nurturing qualities and acknowledges that these are powerful strengths. What differentiates women is what empowers them. The mysteries of creation – life, birth and death are held within her body. Women’s bodies cycle with the moon and her name is given to mother earth. This exhibition represents a selection of photographs that honours women, their choices, their feminine strength and their power as unique individuals in this diverse society.