HIDDEN | Exhibition | The House of Smalls Art Gallery

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Timed to coincide with 25 November - White Ribbon Day, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and the start of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence - this is an exhibition of artwork by 60 women who have been affected by domestic abuse (in any of its many forms) and sexual violence.

The words and language used in profiles are as provided by the artists - it's important to me that work is portrayed as intended and that what artists want to say about themselves, their work and practice - however much or little and in whatever form - is said.

If you're interested in purchasing/discussing any of the artwork please contact me. A 10% commission is applied to individual sales of £150 and above which is utilised towards the upkeep of the gallery.

IN THE DOLLHOUSE

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EXHIBITION CONTAINS ARTWORK AND TEXT WHICH MAY BE UPSETTING. PLEASE TAKE CARE WHEN VIEWING.

Real Men Don’t Cry
Sculpture
10cm x 10cm x 6cm
£NFS

This work is my way of processing events which my memory has suppressed for many years.

As a children my father was a victim of domestic abuse by my mother. I did not realise it at the time. I just accepted it as normal that my mother had a temper and in fits of rage hurled pots and pans at him so that our kitchen walls were pockmarked like a war zone.

I knew my father was a gentle, kind man yet my mother was always angry at him. She swore at him and called him the most awful names. She said he was weak and made her miserable. I knew she often went out dancing in the evenings and had men friends too which she told him about. I knew that when I was nearly 16 he decided to divorce her she threw a brandy bottle at his head from the top of the stairs and nearly killed him.

At the time this all seemed normal to me as my father didn’t make a fuss and there was no language to talk about what was happening to him and we all just carried on with our lives.

Both my parents have passed so now I feel I can talk about what I witnessed and process events I just accepted at the time and remained hidden behind closed doors. Men are now talking about their experiences of being the victims of domestic violence and some of their stories sound very similar to the story my father never told.

@mariawalkerart

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