BY JOAHANNA WICKRAMARATNE

Melbourne-based artists have rallied together to use their art to reshape public understanding of International Women’s Day (IWD).

Platform Exhibitions curator Jess Deng — who led this year's IWD 4.0 exhibition in March, showing the works of women, non-binary and trans individuals at Abbotsford Convent — said it’s important to eliminate misconceptions of IWD and return it to its historical roots as a protest for gender equality beyond cisgender women’s rights.

“When you think about International Women’s Day … you think ‘wow women are great’ and ‘look how far women have come’,” Ms Deng said.

“I wanted to curate a space that … unites us on this working front of dismantling the patriarchy.”

After observing IWD events in Amsterdam, Ms Deng said she noticed there were not many art exhibitions in Melbourne dedicated to IWD.

“Having experienced the unity there, I wanted to bring this back home with me,” she said. “I felt compelled to focus on this theme and fill a gap in the art world.”

IWD 4.0 exhibited the works of 35 artists, four DJs and eight market stalls, and welcomed more than 500 guests.

“When we first started, we had eight artists showcase with us at Marfa Gallery in Abbotsford,” Ms Deng said.

The exhibition has expanded not only in size but also in scope.

Ms Deng said the art submitted in previous years was more in admiration of women or just a celebration of female artists.

“Now, our events are seeing a shift towards art that is more overtly political and activist in nature,” she said.

One of the exhibiting artists, Stephanie Siu, said she wanted her work to empower other women.

“My art practice is a way for me to connect with my inner self, thoughts and emotions, but more importantly, to share my life as a girl and a woman,” Ms Siu said.

Ms Siu shared Ms Deng’s views that IWD 4.0 plays an important role in honouring empowerment.

“For so long, women’s achievements have been overlooked and IWD is a great reminder for us to acknowledge that,” Ms Siu said.

Melburnians can expect IWD to return in 2024 for 5.0.

Cover image: Squish 2022 by Eilish Sherlock, at IWD 4.0, explores supposed imperfections of the human body. PHOTO: Joahanna Wickramaratne