The issue of gender violence is a confronting and heartbreaking National Emergency, one that has also deeply affected the Bendigo community. On average, one woman is murdered every week in Australia and 2 in 5 women have experienced violence since the age of 15 with the perpetrator likely to be someone they know.
This artwork was developed and created under a City of Greater Bendigo Create Lab 2024 grant in partnership with Emporium Creative Hub, was meticulously sculptured by hand, natively in VR by Ballarat-based artist, Reverse Butcher, and is a versatile and experiential artwork set to a powerful and emotive soundtrack written and performed by Sharp Candy.
Driven by this rise of endemic violence against women and girls, the collaborators both felt a strong commitment to create an artwork that not only presented the stark facts, but also honored the memory of Australian women killed by gender-based violence in a respectful and empathetic manner. “We’ve all experienced gender violence in some form, and that’s a powerful driver to develop something that is creative and has a strong message,” Kylie Art/Sharp Candy.
Reverse Butcher reflected, “While Kylie had a clear vision for this commissioned piece, she entrusted me with the creative freedom to realize and contribute creatively to her concept. My goal was to create a Memorial Tree that embodied a quiet, reflective space—one that was solemn, respectful, and enduring... VR as a medium allows for an immersive experience, transporting the viewer inside the artwork and fostering a deep sense of empathy and connection.”
The "Women's Memorial Tree" stands as a solemn testament to the lives lost and is a call to action, urging us all to put our hearts, deepest empathy, and creative energies into addressing this issue and fostering a world where such violence is no longer a tragic reality.
"Women's Memorial Tree" VR Artwork | Work in Progress Images
27 June 2024, CoGB Create Lab Event, Hargreaves Street Mall, Bendigo
Sharp Candy & ReVerse Butcher, at the "Is This the World?"/Women's Memorial Tree Launch on 27 June 2024. Music video will appear as part of community content on rotation throughout 2024, on the Hargreaves St Mall Billboard, in Bendigo, Australia.
8 August 2024, "Women's Memorial Tree + Q&A: Fighting Gender Based Violence", at La Trobe Art Institute, Bendigo
