Acclaimed Archibald prize winning artist Wendy Sharpe has drawn 52 pairs of shoes for a special fundraising exhibition with each work representing a woman who, on average, is killed through domestic violence each week in Australia. Each work is a signed colour pastel drawing.
The exhibition called HER SHOES will open at Juniper Hall, Paddington on April 29. The exhibition aims to raise $100,000. Each work by Wendy Sharpe is $1,900.
The exhibition is a co-production between Wendy and Kim Chandler McDonald, the award-winning author and CEO/Co-Founder of leading edge software firm FlatWorld Integration Pty Ltd. Kim’s last book, Postcards From Tomorrow, which was illustrated by Wendy, also raised money for and awareness of the immensely important work that Lou’s Place does in aiding victims of domestic violence and coercive control.
In Australia an average of one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner and almost 40% of women continue to experience violence from their partner while temporarily separated.
‘Twelve months ago I started to think what could I personally do to help the women who were at the hands of such violence and I began drawing shoes with this exhibition in mind – at that point I did not know how the exhibition would come together but it has, particularly with the help of Kim Chandler McDonald. Each of the shoes represents the women who have suffered. The shoes also represent all kinds of women irrespective of background, ethnicity or age to represent the universality of this terrible problem.
“I have painted 52 pairs of shoes to reiterate that each week in any given year a women loses her life. All money raised will go to Lous Place, a women’s refuge for those who have suffered from domestic violence. People who purchase these works will be making a direct difference to some of those women. I hope people come to this exhibition and support this important cause’ said Wendy Sharpe.
HOW THE MONEY WILL HELP THE WOMEN AT LOU’S PLACE
Support of Her Shoes exhibition will make a difference to the lives of the thousands of women who are assisted by Lou’s Place each year. Each drawing can be purchased, both onsite or online, for $1900. The purchase of one drawing will empower Lou’s Place to:
- Give 15 women emergency funding to find safe overnight accommodation when shelters are closed or full
- Make 600 home cooked, nutritious hot meals
- Help 25 women access emergency pharmaceutical support and medical care
- Fund one 4-week Domestic Violence education ‘A Woman’s Worth’ program
- Assist 39 women with emergency assistance for travel
ABOUT LOU’S PLACE: Providing a safe haven for women for more than 21 years, Lou’s Place, is Sydney’s only daytime drop in centre for victim’s of domestic abuse and coercive control. Lou’s mission is to protect women and prevent tragedies through a lens of healing. The women who come to Lou’s are dealing with a range of issues including domestic violence, homelessness, childhood experiences of abuse and neglect, intergenerational poverty and lack of educational opportunities. Lou’s Place has a long-term commitment to the women they serve and to working with government and community partners to break the cycles of poverty, abuse and neglect. Fundraising for Lou’s is an ongoing challenge as the refuge is run solely on donations; the majority of funds come from generous individuals and organisations who are committed to aiding Lou’s to carry on its vitally important work.
DETAILS:
HER SHOES EXHIBITION
JUNIPER HALL, 220 OXFORD STREET, PADDINGTON
APRIL 29 – MAY 21, 2022
SALE OF ARTWORK BEGINS 6PM APRIL 29TH BOTH ONLINE AND ON PREMISE
https://her-shoes.square.site/