Something about the email invite to the opening of this exhibition entitled ‘Sisterhood’ at the Art Society (ASTT) intrigued me, though I don’t know why. It presented a modern art picture of geometric shapes and lines in dark red, black, gold and white. The text simply described the show as ‘An exhibition paying tribute to the multi-dimensional beauty of women.’ Nothing else to prepare me for this amazing, thought-provoking display.
The venue was crowded. I realised why once I saw the images on the walls. Each was a beautiful photographic portrait of a woman (or two or three or more) with something in the background that was in line with the invitation picture. For example, many had golden circles or squares applied around or near their heads; one had a golden crown set on her head. I imagine most of the women portrayed would have attended the show and were the likely buyers suggested by the many red dots. The VIP cavalcade leaving the ASTT grounds when we entered must have been chauffeuring President Paula-Mae Weekes after her viewing of her own portrait.
Once I started reading the write-ups next to each picture, I understood that this show is the artist, Danielle Salloum, paying homage to a selection of mostly ordinary women who have achieved a wide range of extra-ordinary things for our people, often at an international level. I recognised quite a few of the women so honoured:
- Akilah and Kemba Jaramogi who have done so much to transform the hills of Fondes Amandes from a treeless fire-ravaged desert into a model of forestry and watershed preservation
- Calypso Rose who blazed the trail for women in calypso and was honoured in Paris in 2017 when she won the Best World Music Album award at the prestigious Victoires de la Musique French music awards
- Bunty O’Connor, that talented creator of beautiful clay sculptures in her serene forest and garden environment
- The Syrian-Lebanese Women’s Association who have served for over 60 years tirelessly raising money for deserving charities
- Elspeth Duncan, my amazing award-winning yoga teacher, who has many creative talents and a passion for saving abused animals in Tobago
- and several other very worthy women and causes
The show continues until Sunday 31st March, 12pm – 6pm at the Art Society headquarters in Federation Park. You can buy the booklet showing all the images and associated texts for $100, with part proceeds going to a female charity. This is a very heart-warming exhibition honouring just a small selection of our high-achieving women. We need more of this! Thanks, Danielle, for your passion and vision.
