Art installation commissioned by COPE Galway on the move across county

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galway daily news cope galway art installation

An art installation commissioned by COPE Galway is on the move across the county to locations where the local charity provides outreach one-to-one sessions to women. 

The sculptural work, titled ‘We See You, We Hear You’, was commissioned by COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service to mark its 40th anniversary

People will be able to view the installation between now and March in Loughrea, Athenry, Gort and Clifden, and more locations are expected to be added.

The installation is by Galway artist and ATU graduate Maura Finnegan, who was commissioned to create the piece in collaboration with women who have engaged with COPE Galway’s Domestic Abuse Service and members of its staff.

The artwork comprises seven display cases on plinths.

Six of the cases contain heads sculpted from plaster that depict different women, and each one has a QR code that connects to an audio recording of an anonymous COPE Galway service user telling the story of her real experience of domestic abuse in her own words.

A seventh box is left empty to represent women who have lost their lives due to domestic violence.

Speaking about the project, Training and Development Lead with COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service, Jackie Carroll, said: “It’s always a privilege to work with survivors of domestic abuse and getting their input into this significant art project was hugely important.

“As we look back on 40 years of our domestic abuse service provision, I hope that the sculpture will raise awareness and I hope other women come forward and get the support needed.

“We know that significant numbers of women in every community experience domestic abuse. One in five women in Ireland will be abused by her partner at some stage in her life – and these women come from all walks of life.

“Abuse is not confined to any class, culture, creed or career. It takes many forms, including digital.

“By highlighting the issue within a public space, we are showing our support to those women and their children. By engaging with this art project, our communities are supporting us in saving lives.” 

For more information about the COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service ‘We See You, We Hear You’ art project, including the locations it is moving to and dates it will be on public view, see copegalway.ie/weseeyou and its social media channels.

The artwork will be returning to Galway city as part of COPE Galway’s activities for marking International Women’s Day on Wednesday, 8 March. 

The ‘We See You, We Hear You’ art project was commissioned in partnership with the ATU Galway School of Design and Creative Arts Radius Project and it is supported by Medtronic.

People can find out more details about the venues and dates on the website www.copegalway.ie/weseeyou