What do you do in the war Mummy?
'What do you do in the war Mummy?'
You are invited to an exhibition of figurative sculptures
by artist and silversmith Sandra Burton.
Showcasing sculptures assembled from found & made objects,
with this exhibition Ms Burton asks questions
about women in the frontline and
their direct on-the-ground participation in war.
Making art since the 80s, Burton has a work included in the permanent collection of the Sydney Powerhouse Museum and has been featured in a number of Australian art publications.
Formerly a resident of Sydney, she now resides in Lismore
where she continues to create colourful and challenging works with a social and political commentary. She is also an active member of the Knitting Nannas Against Gas.
Sandra states about her work, "When women are at war
there will be many differing views on the subject of women in the front line.
I would like to think that women could use their powers to change the minds of men
towards resolutions of conflicts rather than perpetuate the "same old! same old!"
When I think particularly of the Iraq war and the subsequent loss of life for the fictitious propaganda
"weapons of mass destruction", I want to weep. Weeping is not good enough.
An example in Lismore of the collective influence of women is the knitting nannas against gas movement
started by Clare Twomey. The forces of good and evil are at work here.
Anything is possible if we believe and are motivated enough."
The exhibition runs from 1st May until 18th May 2015.
The opening celebration night is Friday 1 May 2015, 6-8PM. This is a FREE event.
Men and women - come and celebrate the work of Sandra Burton
and join as one as we take a look at the idea of war through Sandra's eyes!
The installation of two figures,
a mother and a child, is titled:
'What do you do in the war Mummy?'
The installation of six figures
is titled:
'Meanwhile........back in Afghanistan'.
'Meanwhile........back in Afganistan' grew from Sandra's interest in SAWA, a support association for women in Afghanistan,
and comments on the disparity between the women of Afghanistan and the power and potential of western women.
The two leading figures are Julia Gillard and Quentin Bryce. (detail below)
The Front Line
The installation of nine figures is titled:
'Who do you want to be?'
A quote from Professor Clive Hamilton,
Sydney Morning Herald,
Friday 30th September, 2011 -
"Who can argue against the claim
that if a woman can meet
the physical and psychological criteria,
she should be allowed on the front line? Yet the silent discomfort remains."
He also quotes from the same article: "As Germaine Greer lamented, women sought liberation, but settled for equality."
