Cape Town artist, Amy Ayanda led 14 inspiring women in creating beautiful art in honour of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
South Africa (22 November 2023) – The Sparrow Society in collaboration with artist Amy Ayanda and 14 survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) are getting ready to host the first annual Survivor Art Series called “The Art of Empowerment”.
This inspiring collection is curated with pieces made by Survivors of Gender-Based Violence and Human Trafficking from local women’s empowerment organisation, the Sparrow Society. The goal is to provide both art therapy to Survivors while inviting the wider public to engage with the issues of GBV and Human Trafficking through engaging with their inspiring artworks.
Amy Ayanda, an artist from Cape Town, led 14 inspiring women through an art instruction workshop, coaching them through the art processes of impressionism and pointillism to create moving art works that tell of story of empowerment, healing and freedom.
“Creativity is not a talent, it is a way of operating. It is an ability to play and to let go of any pre- conceived possible outcomes and it is something that we need to re-learn with practice in our adult lives. As children we do it quite naturally. I had the privilege of teaching a group of survivors of GBV and Human Trafficking in partnership with Sparrow Society. Having been a victim of domestic abuse and obstetric violence myself, facilitating this space reminded me why I love this work so much and brought me to tears more than once during the session. What a privilege and honour to be involved in this important work.” – Amy Ayanda
The artworks will be used to raise funds for the survivors. The original art works will be auctioned off through silent online auction fundraiser, with the proceeds being split between the survivors themselves and going to support Sparrow Society’s work with GBV survivors through their Power Pads programme. The artworks will also be created into limited edition prints and retail items for further impact.
The Sparrow Society is a non-profit company (NPC) celebrating 10 years of making a difference in the lives of women living in Cape Town. Through various programmes, the team have been able to uplift people in need and provide ethically sourced and locally manufactured gifts for some of South Africa’s most well-known businesses.
The NPC was founded in 2013 with the main goal and vision to empower people and address the growing inequality and poverty in South Africa’s most vulnerable communities. It is one of the leading ethical branded corporate gifting and manufacturing companies, based in Cape Town, South Africa.
You can see the art online and bid here, or visit in-store to see the art in person at1 1 Atlantic Rd, Muizenberg, Cape Town, 7945.
“Art and creative expression can help us process trauma and stress in new ways that can open up new pathways and help heal parts of us that we have kept hidden away. It can be a way for us to express emotions in a way that is safe and even comforting.
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The art works that we create become a part of our story that we are able to share with the world that invites them into a space of peace and healing as well.” – Kate Brim-Senekal, founder of Sparrow Society and Survivor of GBV (CSA).
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