LAUREN MARTIN ‘Flying With Wings’      This digital illustration highlights that period products should be accessible to everyone at no expense. Just like toilet roll they are essential to everyday life. True Equity is achieved when our basic needs are met.

SANDRA KERR ‘The Visitor’ Plaster slip, sanitary towels and chain  Shackled to the burden of the monthly visitor, thankful for the chance to make new life but paying for the discomfort, hindrance and bloody mess. Something we cannot stop and have no control over. Period poverty is real. Today period poverty is affecting millions of women in the UK, Globally a minimum of 500 billion women experience period poverty every month. We are not ashamed, not embarrassed, this is our normal but why should we pay for being a woman?      

HELEN COBURN ‘More to be Done’    This painting promotes playfulness and investigates gender inequalities. In 2021 after research with young consumers, Lego acknowledged how they can do more to tackle gender bias and harmful stereotypes. ‘Wonder Woman’ is available as a Lego figurine, promoting female empowerment.  It’s an uncomfortable feeling to realise ‘Wonder Woman’ has always been different compared to male superheroes. She is sexualized, not just with her clothing but also when compared to the male heroes she works with, in how she stands, who she stands beside, and the shots used in her images. ‘Wonder Woman’ is a feminist figure, she is a powerful, but she is still subject to our gazes. This piece is intentionally unfinished, highlighting that there is more work to be done.

JOHANNA LEECH Psychic Phenomena in Ireland (1972)  As a visual artist, I collect stories and objects to create drawings, photographs and installations. This found paperback book is inspired by International Women’s Day, the mysterious female figure on the front cover quickly caught my attention. The author Sheila St. Clair specialises in folklore, mysteries and the paranormal in Ireland.

EMILY WITHAM ‘Dykes! Lesbians! Sapphics!’ This A1 hand foiled gicleé print was created by Emily Witham, a femme dyke artist from London. It is a modern day call to arms inspired by the manifestos from the Lesbian Avengers, ACT UP and the Gay Liberation Front. It addresses the urgent need for unity between lesbians which is essential for the survival of our community.  

ELLY MAKEM ‘RAGE’ This piece details the often unexplored and under-excused aspects of female rage. Equanimity can only be achieved through authenticity, giving space for rage, anger and grief.

CLINTON KIRKPATRICK ‘Floating Equity 1- 4’ I think about sameness when I think about the word equity or an inability for it to be recognised. I think about a struggle and fight to obtain basic sameness in a contemporary society. Embracing Equity makes me think about ethnicity, sexual identity, gender identity within systemic structures that contain us and conflict between sides and spaces.  I created 4 drawings that each have 4 characters in space that begin to communicate with each other.

LESLEY CHERRY These studies concentrate on stories and emotions we often keep hidden and personal,  but with inspirational and celebratory themes of learning from experiences, trust, betrayal, loyalty, self-preservation and ultimately triumph.  ‘Dirty Little Secret’ Collage on doilie paper  Created from collaged magazine cuttings, commenting on relationships with friends, partners and family, while referencing the pride, confidence, doubt, betrayal, self-belief and self-confidence often found in these relationships.‘Only Half The Story Is True’  Painted and Text Egg  This work was created as a comment on how we collect mementoes and memories, often placing a great worth on their meaning, as we surround ourselves with decorative items and souvenirs.  There a sense of kitschiness and humour to the work, which downplays the exact meaning of how we remember the actual truth behind events and memories.

‘You Fucking Bitch, You Fucking Whore’ text, paint & doilie paper ‘More To Be Pitied Than Laughed At’ text, paint & doilie paper These hand written decorative panels on doilie paper, are based on true stories, told to the artist as she worked with various women's groups across Belfast. The participants wanted to make their stories public, but in a masked or secretive way. This was as much to protect themselves, rather than name and shame, or stoop to their perpetrators level. Through this process, the storytellers have let the hurt they felt go, finding it cathartic and empowering. ‘Everywoman’ Printed banner on vinyl form collaged work  Everywoman was created for the Processions1418, UK wide parade celebrated 100 years from the women's vote. This work was created by Lesley Cherry working in partnership with the Golden Thread Gallery and Kilcooley, Ards and North Down Women’s Group.

CHARYS WILSON     Shifting Light Series’ Screen prints and ‘Light Studies’ Collection of drawings

I responded to the theme of equity through the refuge of ‘home’. These series of light studies indicate a connection to the natural world from within our manmade environments.

SUSAN BURROWS ‘Don’t Apologise’   Multi Media Textile/ Print: suspended   In 2022 at the age of 45 I was diagnosed as being in perimenopause. This diagnosis was the culmination of 9 years of GP visits for disturbed sleep, joint pain, night sweats, irregular heavy periods, and an inability to concentrate.  At no stage during this time was perimenopause ever mentioned - I thought I might either be seriously ill or possibly losing my mind. The final straw was being prescribed antidepressants despite never having presented with a history of depression.  I started to look into menopause provision here and was appalled at the lack of education around menopause generally in GP surgeries, schools, workplaces and even at home.  Good treatment is at best inconsistent and hard to access with many having to access private appointments.  At worst experiences range from the outright misogynistic to gas-lighting leaving many in a state of crisis feeling that no-one cares, no-one will listen and they have no way out of feeling like this. Society is focused on our childbearing capability but offers little in the way of support as our lives undergo a significant period of not only physical but mental change.  We are not alone, you are not alone, don’t apologise.  We deserve better support, we deserve better choices, we deserve equity.  With special thanks to the inspirational Roisin Hillman and the members of the Menopause Support Group NI for their tenacity and inspiration in fighting to educate and empower us all.     

LEANNE MCWILLIAMS    ‘Safe Here’ We have lives, dreams, hopes, fears, a favourite food, a pet at home, a list on the fridge, a bus ticket in our pockets, plans with a friend. We carry all of these things around in these bodies and we deserve safety in these bodies. They are our homes and regardless of age, race or gender, we should all be afforded the basic right to feel safe in ourselves. To have extra financial, emotional and physical support provided for marginalised communities. Not just equality, but equity.    

EIMEAR HARKIN   ‘Sarah’ My painting is connected to "embrace equity" theme for the reason that it represents a woman alone   in a reflective and somewhat vulnerable state. Vulnerability does not equate to weakness it takes courage to be open and true to yourself. I chose this painting for international woman’s day specifically to shine a light on each woman regardless of background, race and gender. Embracing equity is respecting woman for their contributions and giving them an equal opportunity in all aspects of life.

JESSICA WILLIAMS   ‘Thoughtspill' is one of the empty moments, a burnt out day dream from the endless little battles required to embrace equity every day.

ROSALEEN SANDERSON ‘Her Struggle to the Top’ and ‘Ascent’ Female and male rock climbers use all their physical and mental resources to reach the top, but not always in the same ways. I was drawn to this subject by the power, balance and sinewy strength of the climbers; though I also see a parallel in the lives of people when there are periods that take real mental tenacity to get through the challenges that life throws at them

MARIE THERESE HURSON As a professional photographer in Norther Ireland for over 23 years I have experience of taking photographs of high profile people but the personal stories and individual connections I have made through the camera are just as important. ‘Titanica’, The female figure is hope and positivity for the future. ‘Refugee’ Northern Ireland is becoming richer in diversity of culture and ethnicity as  it welcomes people from other countries.

LAUREN SOMERVILLE    A3 photographs 1-5 I specialise in video production, documentary and social media content creation. For this project I worked closely with Aine, Phoebe, Kieron, Eve and Erin, in partnership with Stop Street Harassment NI. Their powerful stories about personal experiences of street harassment are displayed alongside the five colourful portraits.

INTERACTIVE INSTALLATIONS ‘Resilience’   Representing fertility and new life, a willow branch can be planted in the ground and from it, a new tree will grow in its place. Its ability to grow and survive is powerfully symbolic. This playful installation creates space to connect with others and celebrate inner strength. The intentional use of colour; purple for dignity and green for hope, are a reminder that inequalities in fertility treatment still need to be challenged.  ‘New Narrative Needed’ A bespoke jigsaw created for International Women’s Day 2023, in partnership with local illustrator Lauren Martin. Puzzles enhance problem solving, team work and creativity skills, along with the opportunity to build meaningful connections with others. On the left of the illustration are excuses or words that are used to excuse or normalise injustice against women.  The right hand side of the image highlights how it is everyone’s responsibility to challenge injustice & change the narrative.