Words Matter - This Ends Now at Oriel 57, Newport: March 2024

The textile works produced within Rufus Mufasa's Swynwraig project became part of the 'Words Matter' group exhibition at Oriel 57, Newport, 8th - 28th March 2024.
As we made our textile banner from recycled denim, artist Angela Karadog noticed that the gussets, waistbands and pockets invited discussion.
It seemed that everyone in our group had a story to tell related to domestic abuse and violence against women. We highlighted difficult, uncomfortable conversations through textiles.

It's difficult to make artwork that's both compelling and not depressing. How do artists overcome this? Is it possible to create artwork that challenges, motivates awareness around this subject without making people turn away?

A new report published yesterday (22/07/24) by the NPCC estimated at least one in 12 women in England and Wales would be a victim of violence every year - or about two million women.The report identified several key threats facing victims including sexual violence, domestic abuse, stalking and child sexual abuse. It found there had been a 37% increase in the number of violent crimes against women and girls between 2018 and 2023.

Our inclusion in the 'Words Matter' exhibition at Oriel 57 was hugely important to us - exhibiting alongside some amazing artists who were able to articulate a very ugly subject with dare I say it, beauty and intrigue. We hope that as a result of being in this show would demonstrate solidarity and add different voices - raise more awareness.

Does art combined with campaigns such as Denim Day and This Ends Now have the power to encourage more women to stand together and report domestic abuse and other forms of sexual violence? From the figures in the recent report, it would suggest so - but coming forward to report on crimes of this sort is difficult and traumatic.

A proportion of sales went to the campaign: 'This Ends Now'

We have just found out that the 'Words Matter' exhibition will be exhibited in London, House of Commons this autumn. Updates coming soon.

'Hotpants//Asking For It'

A washing line of denim shorts created from off-cuts of discarded jeans contains stories about the pressures of motherhood, to conform to social accepted ideals and discussions surrounding clothing and sexual availability. 'Asking For it' (Marion Cheung) concerns a disturbing story about an Italian court case that took place in the 1990s between an 18 year old female and her driving instructor.

"I was horrified that an 18 year old was accused of being complicit in her assault – the courts said that because her jeans were so tight, she must have helped the driving instructor remove them. I felt compelled to make a work about this story which became groundbreaking in Italian law".

To read more about this case see 'Denim Day' 

'Hotpants: You're Not Going Out Like That' by Angela Karadog

'Where Do you Get People Like That From?' by Rufus Mufasa

 
Portrait: Jessie Riley

'SHE' Banner by Dinah Vagina

 
Image: Banner created by 'This Ends Now' campaigners.