A new art installation, commissioned by Cope Galway Domestic Abuse Service to mark its 40th anniversary, is currently on the move to different parts of the county where the local charity provides outreach one-to-one sessions to women.
The sculptural work, titled We See You, We Hear You, can be viewed in Loughrea, Athenry, Gort and Clifden between now and March, with further locations expected to be added in the coming months. It will return to Galway city as part of Cope’s events to mark International Women’s Day on Wednesday, March 8.
More information on venues and dates is available on www.copegalway.ie/weseeyou
The installation is by Galway artist and ATU graduate Maura Finnegan, who 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 artwork 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 lived 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.
“It’s always a privilege to work with survivors of domestic abuse and getting their input into this significant art project was hugely important,” said Jackie Carroll, training and development lead with Cope Galway Domestic Abuse Service. “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,” Ms Carroll added. “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.”
The We See You, We Hear You project was commissioned in partnership with the ATU Galway School of Design and Creative Arts Radius Project and it is supported by Medtronic.
For more information about the Cope Galway Domestic Abuse Service, the We See You, We Hear You art project, including locations and dates, see www.copegalway.ie/weseeyou and Cope’s social media channels.
Cope Galway Domestic Abuse Service provides outreach one-to-one support sessions to women across Galway city and county in safe and discreet locations. For free and confidential support, you can call its 24-hour helpline 091 56 59 85.
