Two Otago Art History students have organised an ambitious two-week art show accompanied by a publication and events to commemorate 125 years of women’s suffrage.
The show centres on intersectional feminism, which event organisers, sisters Kari and Lydie Schmidt see as a “natural descendant of the efforts of the suffragettes”. Intersectional feminism looks at how women of different backgrounds experience oppression.
Having recently graduated from Art History Honours, the pair finally had the space and time to put the skills and passions they’d gained into practice.
The exhibition was inspired by a gift Kari received of watercolours of an abortion protest outside Dunedin hospital by Auckland-based artist Emma Chalmers. Lydie said, “those were the first works we had of feminist activism in a Dunedin context”, and they wanted to explore the area more.
After sending out a call on social media and talking to artists whose work they admired, they created a formidable line-up including Julia Youn and Megan Brady, Marewa Severne, Swaroopa Unni, Sophie Black, Matthew Wightman, Sarah Baird, Janet De Wagt and Simone Montgomery.
“We are aware that we are middle class white women,” said Lydie. “There’re so many more views to incorporate.” She said that consultation with a range of people including Kai Tahu and Rape Crisis gave them perspective on how to do the exhibition right.
They also made a publication to “get more stories out there” from people who might not feel included by feminism. The publication traces the history of feminism in Dunedin, starting from Women’s Suffrage, to the Otago Pioneer Women’s Memorial Association and Dunedin Collective for Women active in the 1970s and 1980s. Present day perspectives include Rape Crisis, Dunedin Women’s Refuge and Shakti, as well as local Māori wahine, immigrant and rural women. The interviews can be found online at the blog ‘Intersectional Feminism in Dunedin: Exhibition and Publication.’
They’re also hosting an exhibition opening at exhibition venue Geoff’s on Stuart Street, a night of Pecha Kucha presentations from artists and local women, and a storytelling event with poetry from Dunedin poet Eliana Gray.
Lydie said Uni students should know the shows and exhibition are inclusive to everyone. “Our show is connected to the University ethos of being critical about things. In a Dunedin context, feminism is relevant to everyone, men and women. Plus, it’s just going to be a great show with some amazing paintings, video work and sculptures.”
From 14 to 21 September, Geoff’s at 127 Lower Stuart St will be hosting the show. Then, from 23 to 28 September it will be in Studio2 and the Margaret Freeman Gallery in South Dunedin, which is wheelchair accessible.