30/11/2025
Today I once again had the privilege of working with a group of women, to create powerful narrative art pieces as part of my “SEE My Voice Art Project”.
“SEE My Voice” aims to give women an opportunity to have their voices SEEN. To share their messages through visual story-telling, painting the silenced and unheard into form that cannot be ignored.
The idea for this project began to form through my therapy work with women who, although they came from different walks of life and had diverse life experiences, barriers, challenges and stories – shared a common frustration in their anger, pain and despair at being unheard…. Ignored, silenced, disrespected, betrayed, abused, isolated, rejected, abandoned, devalued….UNHEARD.
Despite the complex and multi-layered issues, traumas, vulnerabilities, constraints or obstacles these women faced they displayed commonality in their immense courage, resilience and spirit. Alongside all of that they also demonstrated creativity and artistic talent and potential just bursting to blossom and show the world the brightness and power of their shining light.
Art helped them unwrap emotions and release words along with pain. Hopes, dreams and goals unfurled – determination blooming through the cracks of light in the shadows of silence.
I saw them, heard them, witnessed their strength, their hurt and their fortitude- and I wanted to give them a way for their voices to be SEEN.
So the SEE My Voice Project began to stir and burst forth ambitiously in the form of a vision of an Art Event in Summer. With Art works on display over a weekend in an Art Show- with activities and opportunities to buy artwork – support and hear the stories of the Artists.
I am grateful to The Federal Government Regional Arts Australia / Regional Arts Victoria for choosing “SEE My Voice” to be the October 2025 recipient of the RAV Quick Response Grant ; to support women to be seen and heard through this empowering and exciting project.
I am also grateful and acknowledge Wellways Australia, Warrnambool Branch for also choosing to support “SEE My Voice” through their Community Projects initiative. I am deeply grateful for this local recognition and practical assistance.
I also want to acknowledge the 10+ Key Stakeholders who stepped forward to provide Letters of Support for my Grant application to Regional Arts Victoria – your trust and belief in the idea and vision of “SEE My Voice” has helped to open the doors of opportunity to bring an idea into reality.
The incredible David Higgins- Master Silk Painter, among many other astounding accomplishments, ( https://artofdavidhiggins.com) ,Coast FM/ACE Radio, Warrnambool City Council, Wellways, Andrea Lane Hypnotherapy, Susan Hook Psychologist, Warrnambool Neighborhood Community Centre, WRAD, Mpower and Individual Community members.
I am humbled and truly appreciative.
Thank you also to Coast FM/ACE Radio and to Officeworks for practical supports and kind, generous warmth, interest and consistency in stepping in to help with efforts I have made with Cloud House Therapies during 2025, to provide meaningful supports for women who have experienced violence and abuse – as well as with SEE My Voice.
So... it has taken a lot of effort and energy and many coming together- to bring us to this point today – running this- the second “SEE My Voice” workshop to allow women to create art together to weave a shared story into a visual voice.
I have also been working with individual women – supporting them to find their voice through Art.
There are many barriers which may have silenced, suppressed or blocked women’s voices ; for example ; disability, illness, trauma, abuse, violence, sexuality, cultural norms, societal expectations, poverty, language barriers, mental health and/or addiction.
Today we came together at Cloud House in Warrnambool for a special Art Workshop for “SEE My Voice” – as part of the 16 Days of Activism. Raising awareness regarding violence against women by creating ‘self-portraits’ on backgrounds of orange canvas.
It was a brilliant afternoon- I am so grateful to the women who were able to join me today and for their powerful images created together in a supportive safe space, which we all held together.
The shared narrative of women’s stories shines strong.
I share some of their words here, as warm messages shining out to women everywhere;
“ I wanted the person that used violence against me to see me. To see my hurt and confusion from their behaviours. To understand that I just wanted peace and to be safe”
“Speaking out against Gender based Violence. Sharing stories of Poverty and Cultural barriers and combating the harm through Education”
“ Forever I have buried most of the violence that has been perpetrated against me – like others do, many others, as they/we do. And my experience is universal in different forms:
We suffer. We are controlled. We are hurt. We have no voice. We are angry. We are sad. WE.”
“ Starting in innocence and hope- pushing through endless barriers – cultural, religious, societal expectations, demands and norms….language, mental and physical health challenges, isolation, rejection and judgements. Building and growing in resilience and determination- to find the voice – to be seen and heard”.
If you would also like to create art as part of the SEE My Voice Project- please reach out and make contact- we would love to hear from you.
Thank you.
Angela Seran Blue Aerth
