Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day

Kenya Wed 09-03-2011

Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day
Press Release

Visionary Woman: An Art Exhibition Honoring Heroic Females

Nairobi – Tuesday, 8th March, is the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day. It is a historic occasion that marks a century’s progress made by women in ending discriminatory practices so as to participate on an equal footing with men in society.

Maghreb Neckpiece from the Nuba Collection by Wright & Teague

To commemorate the milestone, the Heinrich Boll Foundation with the National Museums of Kenya, Hawa Artists and Internationaler Künstlerverein e.V (IKV) will be honoring Kenya’s pioneer women leaders in an art exhibition titled “Visionary Woman”. The exhibition will run from 8th March to 6th April 2011 at the Nairobi National Museum.

The celebratory exhibition aims to pay tribute to Kenya’s women champions. “These women came before us, dared to take a risk, challenged the status quo, and achieved what was deemed impossible. They have contributed immensely to democratization and governance in this country,” says Lydia Galavu, Art curator National Museum of Kenya. “It is only fitting that they are immortalized through art. Their acts of courage and determination have played an extraordinary role in the quest for gender equality.”

Visionary Woman: An Art Exhibition Honoring Heroic Females

“Visionary Woman” features over 60 contemporary artworks from thirty women artists of various nationalities. All the artworks have been produced exclusively for International Women’s Day. The pieces include oil, mixed media, and acrylic paintings, glass and wood sculptures, and ceramics. In this exhibition, visitors will discover works of art that are rich in texture, detail, color and, most importantly, meaning.

A commemorative painting, created by Hawa Artists, features young women standing on the roots of a gigantic multicolored tall tree that symbolizes the achievements of women leaders. Called “Women of Vision”, the painting will stand in time as a testament to this momentous day.

Even so, as we celebrate this occasion, it is important to acknowledge the challenges that remain for women. Currently, women own 1% of the world’s property and earn 10% of the world’s income; yet, they perform 66% of the work and produce 50% of the food.

The majority of the world's poor, unhealthy, underfed, and uneducated are still women. On this centennial anniversary of International Women’s Day, we hope to reignite and inspire current and future generations to continue the quest for women's equality through art.

For more information please contact:

Lydia Galavu
Art Curator, National Museums of Kenya
Mobile: 0733544396
Telephone:020 20 8164135
Email: lydiagatundu@gmail.com

Rosetta Makali
Public Relations Officer, Hawa Artists
Mobile: 0733595161
Telephone: 020 3877738
Email: rosettamakali@gmail.com

ORGANIZING INSTITUTIONS PROFILES

Heinrich Boll Foundation – Profile

The Heinrich Böll Foundation's Regional Office for East Africa and the Horn of Africa is based in Nairobi, Kenya, since 2001. Our focal areas of work are gender equity, ecology and sustainable development, and the promotion of peace and dialogue. The Heinrich Böll Foundation is the German Green Political Foundation. Affiliated to the "Alliance '90 / The Greens" political party represented in Germany's federal parliament and based in Berlin, it conducts and supports civic educational activities worldwide. For more information please visit www.boell.or.ke.

Nairobi National Museum

The Nairobi National Museum is the flagship museum of the National Museums of Kenya. Completed in 1930, it houses some of the most celebrated collections of history, culture, nature and art from Kenya and the East African region. The museum is devoted to interpreting the heritage of Kenya in order to stimulate appreciation and learning. It is both a cultural center and educational institution. For further information please visit www.museums.or.ke.

Internationaler Künstlerverein e.V (IKV)

Internationaler Künstlerverein e.V is an association of art patrons and artists from around the world. Based in Germany, the organization practices and promotes intercultural exchange across borders. The association believes that the creative arts should not be limited by national borders. After all art moves people worldwide – artists as well as recipients. The group has organized cultural encounters and exhibitions in Africa, Asia and Europe. For more details visit www.internationalerkuenstlerverein.de.

Hawa Artists

Hawa Artist’s is a non-profit making community-based organization (CBO). Formed in 2001, the group works for the equal placement of women's art in the world as discrimination in the art world does exist. The organization promotes art talent in women. It provides opportunities for women to acquire artistic and entrepreneurial skills through workshops, discussions and exhibitions. The group seeks to improve the lives of female artists and artisans all over Kenya.

Posted By: Diana Achieng

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