Punchbag_YouTube.wmv

In August 2010 Proteus Theatre Company began a project called 'Punchbag' that set out to explore the theme of domestic violence but through the eyes of women and children who were either in refuges or seeking regular support though outreach projects.

Over three months the women in those places took part in a number of workshops including film making, photography, visual arts and writing workshops with professional artists and practitioners.




Some but by no means all, of the women had left education early and some had language and learning difficulties. All were very nervous about taking part, either writing or drawing their experiences for fear of what it may bring up for them emotionally but all those who took part had the courage to try and put their feelings and experiences into words or images.

All the work created has come directly from women who have lived with or are still living with domestic violence. Not all the work is about violence -- some is about what makes them happy, some is about their children and some is about their journey away from violence.

Domestic Violence is still a taboo subject, something women are ashamed to admit to. Those who live with it often keep it secret for fear of being thought weak, those who escape to a refuge are not allowed to speak about their experiences to others or keep regular contract with people from their previous life for reasons of personal security. Those who have escaped often do not want anyone to know that this time in their life existed either because they find it too painful or because they don't want the violence to define them. What all these women had in common was they had been denied a voice to talk about what had happened to them, how it had affected them, how they'd escaped -- or not -- and how some had now found some sort of peace. Documented are their words, pictures and experiences. For reasons of security all names and places have been changed or removed for our evidence.




Proteus has developed a schools workshop programme looking at attitudes towards women which we hope to continue into 2011 as part of the legacy of the project.

Punchbag was generously supported by;
Lankelly Chase Foundation
The Nationwide Foundation
The Woodward Charitable Trust
Charles Hayward Foundation
Basingstoke Women's Refuge
Thornhill Plus You, Southampton


Punchbag Artists
Project Director Mary Swan
Writer Kefi Chadwick
Photographer Martin Reid
Visual Artist Lee Simmons
Film-maker Rob Thrush
Digital Artist Jez Stevens
Projection Bombing Roy Hanney
Book Designer Samantha Clarke

For more information on this project and opportunities to take part in our schools workshop programme, please contact Ross Harvie, Associate Director (Producing) on 01256 354541 or e-mail ross@proteustheatre.com

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Domestic Violence
• Women's Issues
• White Ribbon Day
• Proteus Theatre Company
• Public Art
• Projection Bombing
• Visual Art
• Film Maker
• Photography
• Writing
• Poety
• Surviving

[RoyHanney]

Really didn't see the range of work when we were involved in the projections so this was amazing to see and thanks to everyone who commented on the projections in particular.