Local art exhibition to draw attention to domestic violence against women

A new art exhibition seeking to draw attention to domestic violence against women will be held this week in Ballinasloe Library.

The art installation, commissioned by COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service to mark its 40th anniversary, was unveiled to the public last November in Atlantic Technological University Galway. The local charity commissioned the installation in partnership with the Radius Project, ATU School of Design and Creative Arts to highlight the issue of violence against women.

The sculptural work, titled ‘We See You, We Hear You’ by artist Maura Finnegan, was commissioned to create the piece in collaboration with women who have engaged with COPE Galway’s Domestic Abuse Service and members of its staff.

The art installation comprises seven display cases on plinths. Six of the cases contain heads sculpted from plaster that depict different women, and each one has a QR code that connects to an audio recording of an anonymous COPE Galway service user telling the story of her real experience of domestic abuse in her own words. A seventh box is left empty to represent women who have lost their lives due to domestic violence.

Describing the piece, Maura said: “I chose to sculpt the head and face of women from a diverse age and cultural demographic, six in all, representative of Galway city and county in contemporary society. There is a seventh display case laid empty, indicating the worst possible outcome of domestic abuse.

“The sculpted heads embody silence, a word which occurred frequently in collaborative conversations with both the staff and clients of COPE Galway. While the sculptural figurative forms remain entrapped in silence, their words can be heard privately in audio files, accessed through your smartphone via a QR code to COPE Galway’s website.”

Speaking at the unveiling of the sculpture in ATU, Training and Development Lead with COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service, Jackie Carroll, said: “It’s always a privilege to work with survivors of domestic abuse and getting their input into this significant art project was hugely important. As we look back on 40 years of our domestic abuse service provision, I hope that the sculpture will raise awareness and I hope other women come forward and get the support needed.

“We know that significant numbers of women in every community experience domestic abuse. One in five women in Ireland will be abused by her partner at some stage in her life and these women come from all walks of life. Abuse is not confined to any class, culture, creed or career. It takes many forms, including digital. By highlighting the issue within a public space, we are showing our support to those women and their children. By engaging with this art project, our communities are supporting us in saving lives.”

Also commenting, Head of the School of Design and Creative Arts at ATU, Dr Paddy Tobin, said: “Our team at the School of Design and Creative Arts, ATU, are honoured to be involved in this project, recognising the impactful work of COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service. It’s important to commemorate their work over the past 40 years, in providing vital support services to women and families.”

The exhibition is now open at Ballinasloe Library until Saturday, January 21.