Hear Me is dedicated to the anonymous women who cannot speak out about sexual harassment. This painting was inspired when the ‘Silence Breakers’ were nominated as Time Magazine’s Person of the Year in 2017.
Time Magazine’s Silence Breakers
I was moved by the anonymous hospital worker amongst the Silence Breakers representing the unknown and unheard women worldwide. These women cannot speak out against sexual harassment and are vulnerable in society due to situations, beliefs, appearance, disabilities and more. It is difficult to be counted in a campaign against sexual harassment when you must remain silent.
“Norms evolve, and it’s long past time for any culture to view harassment as acceptable,”
Time Magazine authors, ‘Silence Breakers’.
Kendrea Rhodes and Hear Me
The swirls of colour in Hear Me represent the wind as it traverses mother earth. The odd white swirl of wind represents women’s voices in many languages saying, ‘Hear Me’ and ‘Listen’. These are the languages of the unheard women of the world; their voices left hanging on the wind*.
The odd white swirl of wind represents women’s voices in many languages saying, ‘Hear Me’ and ‘Listen’
The grid in the background of the painting represents restrictions that exist in the lives of unheard women. This grid is slowly breaking down as action is demanded by women worldwide, and campaigns like #metoo and #timesup gain traction.
Kaurna people, South Australia
Kaurna language (Warra Ingkarninga and Yuringkarninga) is represented in Kendrea Rhodes’s ‘Hear Me’. These words were chosen out of respect for the country and community in which this painting was created and exhibited in the Adelaide Hills. Cultural permission was granted for the use of these words and this symbol above.
*If your voice is on the wind in Australia please call Life Line on 13 11 14 or click here .
*If your voice is on the wind in the United States of America please call RAINN on 800 656 HOPE or click here .
*If your voice is on the wind in Great Britain please call the Samaritans on 116 123 or click here.