Female Perspective · Embracing Equality —— International Women's Art Dialogue

On March 11, 2023, the photography exhibition "THE MESSENGER" by female artist Roslyn Sharp successfully concluded at Sheffer Gallery. The exhibition coincided with International Women’s Day and featured an art event focused on women's rights, "Embrace Equity," organized by Poetry Sydney, which garnered widespread attention from various sectors of society. Poets Miro Bilbrough, Daiane Moret, and Michele Seminara, from different ethnic backgrounds, expressed their advocacy for women's rights through their unique artistic languages. Curator and photographer Sandy Edwards, installation artist and poet Devina Bedford, and renowned contemporary Chinese poet Aileen Moka were also invited to attend.

"On this International Women’s Day, gathering in an art space led by female artists to celebrate women's achievements and raise awareness of issues that require reflection, understanding, and embracing carries significant meaning for our times," said Angela Stretch, Chair of Poetry Sydney, who hosted the event and issued a call to action for poets to harness their potential and support each other in embracing fairness, working together to create a world of equality and mutual respect.

Creative producer Sandy Edwards stated in her opening remarks that as women producers, curators, and artists with decades of experience in the art industry, it is crucial to have a clear awareness of their roles and to bravely uphold women's rights. The theme of equality, emphasized this year, aims to delve into various social dimensions, including race, class, and gender, guiding our exploration and reflection.

Filmmaker Miro Bilbrough brought her unconventional memoir "In the Time of the Manaroans," which was shortlisted for the New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards, to the event, using soothing verses to convey the vitality of women. Brazilian bilingual poet Daiane Moret, frequently featured at the Sydney Writers' Festival and International Women’s Jazz Festival, performed her dynamic poems, interpreting the roles women play in society and dramatically highlighting the injustices they face. Writer Michele Seminara used her somewhat obscure verses to capture the awakening of women's self-awareness, achieving harmony and growth through reconciliation with life.

"I have the right to smile, the right to contribute to the community; I have the right to unleash my imagination, and the right to create freely…" French poet Oliver Corbiau, who expressed a profound longing for love and justice in her poetry, became a highlight of the event, inspiring all attendees with her courage and passion.

During the artistic dialogue, poets Devina Bedford, Michele Seminara, and Aileen Moka profoundly discussed the ongoing process of women breaking free from defined and sacrificial passive roles through the lenses of female expectations, perspectives, and thoughts. Modern women increasingly seek effective avenues for rights protection when facing issues such as domestic violence, gender discrimination, and consciousness biases. Art serves as an excellent means of emotional control, self-healing, and rebuilding confidence. The artists hope that more women will join the artistic community to support and care for each other, embracing equality and brightness.

In an interview, Angela Stretch, Chair of Poetry Sydney, stated that the contemporary and diverse dialogue among women at the "THE MESSENGER" exhibition is highly significant. The event itself serves as a message, amplifying women's voices through female perspectives and utilizing multimedia platforms such as the internet and broadcasting to reach different communities. The integration of artists from multicultural backgrounds, including Australia, Brazil, France, and China, further extends the international significance of International Women’s Day. Poetry Sydney aims to provide a broader platform for women who love artistic expression and appreciates the support and participation of every artist involved.