In 2008 I joined forces with fellow artist Fern Smith in creating The Art of Suff-Rage traveling art installation. The project sees us roving Victoria dressed as suffragist giving out the latest edition of our newspaper. The installation celebrates the Centenary of Women's Suffrage in Victoria and I have created one hundred ceramic suffragist sculptures each around 30cm in height. Fern has painted ten commemorative banners to honor the legacy of women campaigning for equality. Gasworks Arts Park has auspice the project and we received funding from the Department of Planning and Community Development Grants Program-Centenary of Women's Suffrage. Thank you to everyone who has helped to get the project up and running.

Below you will find pictures and news from our adventures as well as a Link to Fern Smith's website which has more information on The Art of Suff-Rage  

Link: http://www.fernartz.com/Projects/Suff-Rage.htm

June 2nd 2009

Portland Art Centre

Fern and I ventured to Portland recently with The Art of Suff-Rage traveling art installation for an exhibition of our work. The exhibition consists of the entire body of work that we produced last year for the centenary celebrations of Victorian Women Vote 1908 - 2008. As Portland was the birth place of Vida Goldstein it was fantastic we had this opportunity to explore more of her adventures. Here is a picture of me and Vida on the Victorian Women Vote 1908 - 2008 "Seat for Vida" made by artist Carmel Wallace.

March 8th 2009

International Women's Day

Fern and I attended the Queen Victoria Women's Centre annual International Women's Day celebrations. Women entertainers and stalls holders from various women's organizations as well as artists and produces filled the QV Square for a fun filled informative event.

Febuary 2009

Counihan Gallery - 2009 Women's Salon

Each year Counihan Gallery in Brunswick hosts a Women's Salon as part of IWD celebrations showcasing the work of women artists from the City of Moreland. As the theme for this year was "Stories of Hope" both Fern and I submitted works created for The Art of Suff-Rage We are pictured below after I gave a floor talk one Saturday afternoon.

November 23rd

Parliament Open Day - This year Open day celebrated the achievements of women over the last 100 years in celebration of the Centenary of Victorian women gaining the vote. Visitors to the Parliament were greeted by Fern and I on the steps giving out the Sixth Edition of The Art of Suff-Rage newspaper. My 100 ceramic suffragist sculptures were on display in Queens Hall and Ferns ten Commemorative Banners were on display in the Members Corridor. People were entertained in the gardens by participants from this years celebrations including Cathy Connors brass ensemble playing her especially composed Centenary Fanfare.

November 13th

Union of Australian Women - The final in the UAW Centenary Celebrations at the Incinerator Art Complex in Moonee Ponds. Fern and I were guest speakers and our art installation was on display.

November 11th

Parliament House closing Celebration - We were invited by The Honourable Jenny Lindell MP the Speaker of the House to the closing of this years celebrations. I took my Vida sculpture along to take part in the festivities and she was very at home in the Queen's Hall as you can see by the photo. Many of the grant participants from this year were there as well as Ministers and the Premier John Brumby.

November 10th

Monster Petition at Parliament - The steps of Parliament were adorned with signatures collected this year to honor the Monster Petition of 1891. In that year the Premier of the time wanted proof the women of Victoria wanted the vote and with in six weeks women collected over thirty thousand signatures.  Learn more at www.women.vic.gov.au/womenvote 

Deer Park Library  - I presented a talk on the "tales of the suffragists".

November 7th

Haddon and District Community House on November 7th hosted its final wrap with the unveiling of the “Woady Woman” sculpture commissioned from me. During the year the community researched and voted on who should become the "Woady Woman". I made three ceramic sculptures of the women chosen which will now reside at the Haddon and District Community House.

Gasworks Arts Park: My studio is situated in the picturesque surrounds of the Gasworks Arts Park where I am currently a resident artist.   www.gasworks.org.au

Fern Smith: I met Fern in 2007 through a project were she was exploring information about women who encourage other women to participate in their community. We are co-creators of The Art of Suff-Rage travelling art installation.    www.fernartz.com/Projects/Suff-Rage.htm

Adam Dutkiewicz: My brother is an Adelaide art critic, artist and writer, publishing his own books. This site has  information about my artist father a prominant Adelaide Abstract Expressionist artist. www.moonarrow.com

Michal Dutkiewicz: My brother's long awaited fantasy project, Dragonscarpe, the first instalment in the series The Last Realm, is now avaliable in Australia. www.thelastrealm.com

Office of Women's Policy: The Art of Suff-Rage was funded by the Office of Women "Centenary of Victorian Women Vote 1908-2008". For more information on Centenary Celebrations check this website. www.women.vic.gov.au/Web12/owpMain.nsf

Women's Circus: I have been involved in the circus since the first show in 1991. www.womenscircus.org.au

Last Thursday I traveled to Euroa with The Art of Suff-Rage to be a guest speaker for one of their monthly "Women of Euroa" group dinners. The event this month was to celebrate the Centenary of Victorian Women Vote. Over ninety women ventured out on a cold evening to participate in the festivities. The menu was specially designed for the event and based on the recopies of Mrs. Beaton. The MC for the evening was Claire Penniceard and guest speakers were locals from the area Roby Machin, Sherryn Browne and Laura-Jane Corker. The Euroa Historical Society set up a fantastic static display with items from the turn of the last century. I would like to thank the Women of Euroa for their very warm welcome and fabulous hospitality. This event was supported by Euroa Health, Srathbogie Shire Council, State Government and Victorian Women Vote 1908-2008 ( Knowing our past, transforming our future).

The Art of Suff-Rage Vida Goldstein celebration was a great success enjoyed by all. Fern and I would like to thank all those who ventured out on a cold Melbourne day to join in the celebrations. There was a warm welcome from the Mayor of the City of Port Phillip Janet Cribbes followed by Wilma Farrow's entertaining performance as Vida. Members of the St Kilda Historical Society filled us in on what was happening in1908 the same year women won the right to vote in Victoria. This event was supported by Gasworks Arts Park and we thank the staff for all their help and encouragement especially Crusader Hillis and Jane Chilsome.

Part of my quest this year for The Art of Suff-Rage project is to photograph my Vida Goldstein sculpture in places that were relevant and significant to her life as well as to women of the day. Some of those places include Parliament House, Trades Hall and the Exhibition Building. In 1907 an Australian Exhibition of Women's Work was held at the building and it is said up to 16,000 exhibits were on display. The massive exhibition included painting, sculpture, pottery, sewing and needlework. The signage for the Melbourne art fair was an added bonus to this photo.The building also housed the Victorian Parliament for some years as the Federal Parliament was in the Spring Street building while the National Parliament in Canberra was under construction.