Reflections on Dress Sculptures in 2024

Submitted by Karoline Guelke

This week the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence came to an end. This event was started to remember the 14 women who were killed 35 years ago by a male classmate who objected to the presence of women at the École Polytechnique in Montreal, making this a case of femicide.

Gender-based violence continues to be a reality for many. According to the Government of Canada, an average of 102 women and girls are killed per year in this country, with Indigenous women, women in poverty and those living with disabilities affected at higher rates.  

One approach to activism is through art, which allows for different ways to raise awareness of an issue and to engage people with it. At both Lansdowne and Camosun libraries we set up wire sculptures in the shape of a woman’s dress. People were invited to leave a note about their thoughts and experiences (red papers) and/or intentions for action (purple papers) and place them into the wire. Seeing the sculptures fill up with red and purple was a strong visual reminder of the relevance of this topic for many in our community.

Some of the reflections shared mentioned incidences sexualized violence from family members and partners and worry about the safety of female family members. Other comments highlighted that assault is not the victim’s fault and that everyone deserves love and support. One comment, drawing from a Japanese writer, stated that – like the moon – women can still shine in the darkness.

Intentions about action addressed the importance of sharing stories and refusing to be silent about gender-based violence. There were calls to listen, to rise up, and to speak out. Some people wrote intentions about being good allies, good fathers and husbands, and looking out for friends. While most comments referenced violence against women, notes also mentioned transmisogyny and misogynoir, violence directed at Black women.

Thank you to everybody who participated! Let’s carry the awareness of this event with us and keep speaking out and acting against gender-based violence throughout the year!  

Karoline Guelke, PhD

Chair, CCFA Women & Gender Equity Committee, WGEC FPSE Representative

My academic background is in cultural anthropology, and my research has included the analysis of gender inequalities in the context of economic development. I have been teaching anthropology at Camosun on and off for many years and in 2024 started a position in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies. In my teaching I strive to help students see the connections between their personal experiences and larger structural inequalities and think of ways to challenge these systems. Outside of academia I have been engaged in volunteer work with immigrants in Victoria, a women’s cooperative in Nepal, and an NGO working with Indigenous communities in Peru. With a background in visual anthropology, I am interested in art as a form of activism and plan to further develop such projects with my students.