LITTLE MORE than two years on from the State’s historic vote to repeal the controversial 8th Amendment, a new exhibition at the Galway Arts Centre will examine societal and religious attempts to suppress reproductive rights in Ireland.
One Of Many by Belfast artist Jennifer Trouton opens at the arts centre, Dominick Street, this Saturday, July 5. In this exhibition, Trouton will show how, regardless of continued attempts to reduce the influence and autonomy of women, women still accessed the tools necessary to control their own reproductive destinies. In many cases, they found the objects of their own emancipation in the domestic spaces that were assigned to them.
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The work is presented in nostalgic hues which evoke a sense of comfort and security. However, many of the familiar objects depicted, hide a duality of purpose. In the hands of countless women, the benign functionality of knitting needles, soaps, washing powders and herbal teas, were repurposed as tools in the female struggle for autonomy and control of their physical and emotional needs.
Jennifer Trouton's work explores gender, class and identity within Irish history; combining an interest in the mythological and historical, with personal narrative. Her work is held in numerous public and private collections including the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Office of Public Works, ESB Ireland, Queen's University Belfast, University of Ulster, Belfast HSC Trust, Allianz Insurance, XL Insurance, NI Department of Finance, and David Roberts Foundation London.
The exhibition runs until Saturday July 17. Opening hours are 10am to 5.30pm (Mondays to Thursdays ), 10am to 5.30pm (Fridays ), and 12 noon to 5pm (Saturdays ). Safety measures will be in place. Visitor numbers will be restricted and socially distanced queuing may be required during busy periods. Visitors must wear a mask during their visit to the gallery.
