Women Recognised at the Academy Galleries

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Women Recognised at the Academy Galleries

On this weekend at the Academy Galleries, the installation ‘Hall of the Unrecognised’ celebrates the inaugural National Council of Women which first met in Christchurch on 13 April 1896. The installation is part of the SOLO group show.

The aim of the NCW was to:

‘unite all organised Societies of Women for mutual counsel and co-operation, and in the attainment of justice and freedom for women, and for all that makes for the good of humanity’

The women forming this group were leaders of the organisations which had spearheaded the movement to attain the vote, and saw forming the NCW as a natural next step. The thrust of their agenda was to work in a practical manner to bring about reform legislatively so women and men had equal rights.

Justine Fletcher’s installation offers an opportunity to consider these 25 women as individuals - highly motivated, passionate and generous, with whom we would have much in common. We owe them much. The installation also offers a fundraising opportunity for Wellington Rape Crisis who due to an ongoing lack of adequate funding, once again find themselves struggling to survive and support those who need their help. We also owe these women much. 50% of all sales (after gallery commission) will go to Wellington Rape Crisis.

Some of the women had wholehearted support from men at home and in their community. Many didn’t have any support at all, and in fact were being thwarted at every turn but still found the strength and energy to fight on. Some of the women were victims of domestic violence. Some were astute business managers. Some travelled and communicated internationally and influenced global change. Some were talented artists. Some were mothers. Several of the women were several of these things. All of them believed things should be fairer. They rose to a self-imposed challenge and worked very hard, knowing that it would be a struggle. They made New Zealand society better.

Hall of the Unrecognised is open until 26 November at the Academy Galleries, 1 Queens Wharf, Wellington, 10 am – 5 pm, Monday – Sunday.

ENDS

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