Reconstructing your ideas on gender

To celebrate International Women’s Day this year, The Cad Factory and Charles Sturt University have teamed up to present the exhibition RE//CONSTRUCTING, featuring the work of 21 female, Riverina artists at the HR Gallop Gallery in Wagga Wagga. 

Each year on March 8, people around the globe celebrate International Women’s Day; a time to highlight the social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women. The theme this year is Pledge for Parity, in response to the awareness that progress has slowed in many countries and that action needs to be taken to accelerate gender parity.

Co-curator’s of the exhibition, Julie Montgarrett and Sarah McEwan, have taken this theme seriously by working with 21 women to highlight the strong, regional voices of local artists in our area. Julie Montgarrett says, “One year on from the landmark exhibition for the 40th Anniversary of International Women’s Day, the women from across the Riverina, who created such a popular, vibrant exhibition in the HR Gallop Gallery at CSU in 2015 called RE//ASSEMBLING, have gathered together again to demonstrate the strength and vitality of their work. Their latest array of artworks are a rare opportunity that showcases the often overlooked works of women artists of our region. Don’t miss this!”

The work of Narrandera-based artist Emma Piltz is included in the exhibition and features an installation using eco-dyed fabric and organic material exploring the circle of life and how things change form over time. Emma has been, “enjoying reconnecting and working with the same group of artists for a second year and seeing how their work is developing.”

Another Narrandera-based artist making work for the exhibition is Julie Briggs. She is collaborating with Temora-based artist Angela Coombs Matthews. They are creating a digital fine art print series of selected photographic imagery and poetry. Julie commented that, “It’s so exciting to be working with such a large group of women of varying ages and disciplines.”

The work of Leeton-based artist Jo Roberts will be included in the exhibition and features an installation using subconscious processes, automatic writing and cut up feminist text. Jo said, “It’s wonderful to be working with women and feeling a sense of camaraderie in a non-competitive environment. RE//CONSTRUCTING opens at the HR Gallop Gallery in Wagga Wagga from 22 February to the 11 March.

The opening is on Saturday 27 February from 4pm - 6pm and everyone is invited to come along. Dr Jacqueline Millner from Sydney University and the Contemporary Art and Feminism Network will be opening the exhibition. Dr Millner teaches contemporary art theory at Sydney College of the Arts and has published widely in national and international journals. To accompany the opening, Dr Millner will be giving a lecture called Critical Conversations from 1:30pm - 3pm on Saturday 27 February.

This event is open to all artists or art enthusiasts who want to understand more about contemporary art. You can find more details on The Cad Factory webpage www.cadfactory.com.au