‘The catalyst that led me to leave a violent relationship was when my grandmother, who I was so close to, chose to end her relationship by jumping in front of a moving train. I was so worried that this would be my future if I didn’t leave, so I found the courage and walked away taking my young son with me. I sought support from service providers, but I found it incredibly difficult to find stable, safe housing as a single mother, with a part-time job. I didn’t fit the criteria for either social housing or private rentals. I have always told my son our moving around was “an adventure”, and we have been lucky enough to stay with friends. The only way I could get housing was to ask my abusive ex to co-sign my lease, so I did. Imagine how hard this was – to ask my perpetrator for help. My son and I both suffer from the trauma we have experienced, along with the fear that at any point, the cycle could happen again…
– Evie
- Title: Nevertheless She Persisted
- Artist: Evie
- Year: 2024
- Medium: Photographic digital print on velvet
‘I believe recovery is possible for us all, particularly when you have mental health like I do from my experiences. It’s hard work, but we can all live a meaningful life despite trauma, and enduring hell in this life. I’m deeply spiritual but not religious. There’s a light at the end of the fionael if we can just sit in the dark long enough.
The image in my artwork captures my eyes, the light that is still inside me despite the darkness I’ve overcome. If you look you can see that I’m wearing my Grandy Joy’s necklace. Today, I carry on my grandmother’s legacy for all who didn’t get the chance to live the freedom I have fought with every ounce of my strength to grasp. My poem bears witness to the women who have fought for me to have the freedom I have today. Each generation of us builds a better, safer future for women by the choices we make and the work we do breaking this cycle. My tattoos tell my story of finding liberation, and beginning to flourish. My bright hair expresses me. Bold, blunt, bright, individual. I stand out from the crowd. I love to party and to dance. I laugh super loudly. I love people. I’m a social butterfly. A lot of people have tried to bury me but I’m still here. I just grow stronger through it all.
I believe in following the path of freedom, love, authenticity and justice. I believe that justice is the only way the world will be made right and am committed to seeing justice for the oppressed and for women particularly.’
– Evie