Living without violence

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Living without violence

By Gail Lord

Living without Violence 2000: an exhibition by women of western Sydney
Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, until April 2; Merrylands Central Library, until March 27; Parramatta Heritage Centre, until March 26

For the second year in a row, this stimulating exhibition provides art spaces and audiences for women artists from western Sydney.

The first exhibition was conceived by members of the Regional Violence Reference Group in partnership with community organisations, local councils and health services. This year, Living without Violence is a project of the Immigrant Women's Speakout Association, Information and Cultural Exchange and Parramatta City Council, in partnership with the Parramatta Heritage Centre, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Holroyd City Council and Merrylands Central Library.

"The exhibition recognises the need to create greater access for migrant, refugee and indigenous women artists and this year more than 40 artists have submitted artworks in a range of mediums from video art to painting", said April Pham from the Immigrant Women's Speakout Association.

Mazza Hamdan, a Granville-based photographer, focuses on human imagery. "I also want to draw attention to the power and strengths of all women, rather than focussing on violence in itself", she says.

Christine Daujotis' "Torched by the Spouse" is dedicated to all the women who have either died or been permanently disfigured by their husbands in fire "accidents" in the home. This act often goes unpunished.

Doris Rainsford's sculptures represent the healing and the empowerment of women who survive violence. "It is a clear message to all women that although violence is entrenched in society, it is not acceptable", she says.

Living without Violence 2000 is an excellent example of "women using innovative and creative strategies to raise community awareness while simultaneously increasing women's participation in challenging violence and promoting women's strengths", said Lena Nahlous, one of the exhibition's organisers.

Coinciding with International Women's Day, the exhibition is a timely reminder that the right to live without violence is still an issue that needs to be addressed.

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