CANBERRA.- This International Women’s Day, the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House celebrated women who have played a pivotal role in Australian society and is launching a new touring exhibition, Changemakers: Crafting a difference.

Changemakers: Crafting a difference is the touring component of the Changemakers exhibition, sponsored by Commonwealth Bank, currently on display at MoAD at Old Parliament House in Canberra. The touring exhibition will commence in Wanneroo, in Western Australia next month, before travelling to three regional locations across the country.

The touring exhibition showcases a range of textile banners created by craftivist and artist Dr Tal Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick has used embroidery, quilting and applique techniques to create textile banners that explore challenging issues, attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate unequal power relations, including financial abuse.

"Craft is a fundamentally human technology, one that has been with us since the dawn of civilisation and has helped us transform the world around us,” she said.

“Textiles are a kind of universal language, warm and familiar, which can open up soft spaces for hard conversations. The handcrafted banners I created for this exhibition highlight some really challenging issues that we, as a society, need to talk more about. These include housing insecurity, the unequal distribution of domestic labour, gender-based violence and financial abuse."

The travelling exhibition invites audiences to explore the power of craftivism, a global movement that combines craft with activism. Craftivists challenge clichéd notions of needlecraft and ‘women’s work’ to create platforms for advocacy: raising awareness, sparking discussion, and uniting community. The exhibition is activated through programming where visitors are invited to share ideas and create their own banner.

MoAD Director Stephanie Bull said MoAD is delighted to partner with the Commonwealth Bank and share with regional audiences this thought-provoking exhibition. “International Women’s Day is a perfect opportunity to encourage all people to consider their part in creating communities of change. When we foster a respectful society, we build a brighter future,” she said.

Commonwealth Bank Group Executive Human Resources, Sian Lewis said: “We know workplaces have an important role to play in improving gender equality and creating an inclusive society. We are committed to helping end financial abuse through CommBank Next Chapter - a program helping victim survivors of financial abuse achieve long-term financial independence. Our sponsorship of Changemakers: Crafting a difference touring exhibition is one example of how we are continuing to shine a light on this important issue and let people know support is available – regardless of who they bank with.”

Changemakers: Crafting a difference is the touring component of the Changemakers exhibition on display at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House in Canberra. The exhibition features objects and stories from pivotal Australian women who have changed our society, for example, Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO, Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG and Rosie Battie AO. It also includes banners crafted by artists including Tal Fitzpatrick. Both the onsite and touring exhibitions are sponsored by Commonwealth Bank.

TAL FITZPATRICK

Tal Fitzpatrick is an Australian artist, craftivist and researcher. Her textile-based practise is influenced by the work of her paternal grandmother, Australian artist Dawn Fitzpatrick.

Tal Fitzpatrick is best known for her work in the field of craftivism and has co-led a number of global craftivism projects tacking social, political and environmental issues including the @Covid19quilt (2020), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Quilt Project (2016-2018) and the PM Please Quilt Project (2017).

Fitzpatrick’s textile-based practise combines the physical techniques of applique, quilting and embroidery with the practice of socially-engaged art making and digital tools including social media.

She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA).