Mar 09 - Face Frames Gallery Holds Exhibition To Mark International Women's Day
It was a full house at Face Frames Gallery last night as more than 200 people gathered for the first female artists only exhibition to mark International Women’s Day.
People of all ages, including many artists and their families and friends, came to the event held in aid of Women in Need.
There were more than 40 works of art on display in the gallery including paintings, photographs and sculptures, and guests even had the opportunity to go into Rock on The Rock for an audio visual performance by Lizanne Figueras and a poetry reading by Rebecca Faller.
Minister for Equality Samantha Sacramento said she cannot recall International Women’s Day being celebrated on the Rock before, with so many events being held to mark the day.
She added: “Thank you for adding to the platform on raising awareness on women’s issues. A lot of people question the need for the day, and if it’s something we need in this day and age, and is it in a way an archaic principle. In a way it is, but we still haven’t reached where we want to be.
“This event is a perfect example of a celebration of women, of their abilities and talents, but you’re also raising awareness of domestic violence, which is not an exclusive women’s issue, but it predominantly affects women.”
Women in Need Founder Claire Borrell said there is still so much that needs to be done for women and children, and educating future generations about domestic violence.
Louisa Rhodes, exhibition curator, said: “We were so excited, and it’s been so exhilarating to do all this – to have a poetry performance, have Minister Sacramento here and the Women in Need founder here, a charity which needs so much.
“I was worried about how we were going to be able to fit all the pieces of art work on our walls in our small gallery, but we did it! It took five hours to do but we managed to do it, and the gallery looks amazing, and we have so many people in here today.”
Sebastian Rodriguez, who owns and runs Face Frames, said: “This evening has surpassed expectations, we had to move the launch to a bigger venue at Rock on the Rock.”
He said he was apprehensive to carry forward the idea after his girlfriend Christiane Williamson-Fa mentioned it to him, but he is glad it has all worked out and was please to see artists, both new and experienced, sending in their pieces to put on display.
Christiane said she was surprised at how well the idea was received by the local artists, and her aim was to highlight discrepancies between men and women, and what better day to do so was on International Women’s Day.
She adds: “I wanted to do something to highlight these things, to inspire women but also educate Gibraltar’s society that these issues still remain, even in our beautiful, wonderful Gibraltar.”
While the crowds gathered and moved around within the gallery and Rock on the Rock, Sebastian and Louisa managed to sell five paintings last night, and hope to make this an annual event.
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