Exhibition of paintings reveals a ‘spirit of fortitude’ in women healing from abuse
Paintings of hope by women with emotional and physical scars from abusive relationships will be on display for the first time at an exhibition to promote their work.
About 30 paintings by women who survived domestic violence, suffered abuse or were victims of human trafficking will be shown at the Dubai International Art Centre from Wednesday.
Artists and volunteers have been working with residents of the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children for more than a year and organised workshops to help the women to express themselves.
“At first, some of the women were a bit apprehensive as many of them had never painted before but they were curious and willing to learn. This is why we started off by painting on smaller canvasses,” said Fiona Petrocelli, a volunteer board member at the art centre who led the project.
“We then moved on to larger canvasses and the ladies worked on these as a group project. The more they experimented, the more their confidence grew.
“I feel these paintings reflect a spirit of fortitude that I can’t even imagine or comprehend, but at the same time each one of them seems to convey a calmness and serenity.
“I will never know or understand the true meaning behind each brushstroke. But ultimately, having shared in the experience of their creation, each painting is a representation of moving on.”
The paintings use rich colours and depict subjects ranging from a lone sailboat setting off on a dark sea, to a black and yellow butterfly perched on a flower, to the spire of a mosque framed by bright pink flowers.
Volunteers from the centre began by arranging sewing classes for the women last year, then moved on to painting and mosaic workshops. During classes, they explained that art required time and patience, and that each woman would find her own individual style.
Emirati artist Fatma Lootah says art has the power to heal.
“Art is a soul thereby it guides the person to concentrate on their inner beauty. When that is discovered, everything else seems to disappear,” said Ms Lootah, who will be the show’s guest of honour.
Officials said the interactions were therapeutic for the women in the shelter.
“When the women were painting, they were in another happy world. I was very impressed to see them relaxed,” said Asma Al Suwaidi, a senior activities coordinator at the centre.
“The art workshops really helped the women to release stress, relax, express themselves, forget about personal problems and focus on creativity.”
Funds from the show will go towards supporting the women and children who live at the shelter, which was set up in 2007 to offer protection and support.
“This art exhibition is a great way to boost the confidence of the women behind the paintings. The funds will help support women’s empowerment programmes and support women in need,” said Ghaya Al Habtoor, the centre’s marketing executive.
“This is also a great exposure for the foundation, its services and facilities. We would like the community to know more about the foundation and its services in helping abused women and children to have a society free of violence.”
The foundation shelters women of all nationalities who have experienced abuse – physical or sexual, domestic violence or human trafficking. The helpline’s team received 3,461 calls, of which 935 were requests for help and advice, in 2015.
Between July and September last year, the organisation handled 108 cases of violence against women, 11 child abuse cases and one trafficking case.
The shelter also receives cases referred by the courts and police. The Seasons of Change exhibition runs until September 16 at Gallery 76.
The organisation’s helpline number is 800 111; email, help@dfwac.ae; and text, 5111.