RECLAIMING AGENCY

The Importance of Telling Women’s Stories in the Arts

What happens when a woman tells her own story?

Reclaiming Agency is an intimate panel conversation exploring the importance of women’s stories within the arts, and the powerful role creativity can play in helping us understand our experiences, express what has been difficult to articulate, and find the courage to move forward.

Coinciding with contemporary portrait artist Alanah Ellen Brand’s solo exhibition, HUMAN, this special event brings together four women whose work intersects art, storytelling, culture, identity and the lived experiences of women.

Together, Alanah Ellen Brand, Lauren Ellis and Gayle Wilson will explore why it matters that women are not simply the subjects of stories, but the tellers of them — while Melesina “Sina” brings her warmth, humour and unmistakable energy as MC for the conversation.

This is not a conversation only for artists.

It is for anyone who creates, writes, paints, speak, sing, photograph, perform, journal, remember, preserve, question — or simply feel there may be something within them waiting to be expressed.

We will explore art as a form of expression, connection and healing; the importance of preserving women’s lived experiences; and how telling our stories can become an act of agency in itself.

Not every story needs to become a book, a painting or an exhibition.

Sometimes the act of expression is enough to help us see ourselves differently.

Sometimes creativity gives language to something we have carried silently.

And sometimes, telling the truth of where we have been becomes part of finding the courage for where we go next.

Meet the Panel

Alanah Ellen Brand — Artist

Alanah Ellen Brand is a contemporary portrait painter whose practice explores the stories of women through lived experience, identity and personal agency.

Alanah obtained a Master of Visual Art from La Trobe University, Bendigo in 2019. Her work has received significant recognition across Australia, including being named a finalist in the Archibald Prize, Salon des Refusés, Kennedy Prize, 12th Prospect Portrait Prize, Bluethumb Art Prize, Tatiara Art Prize, The Percivals and the Lethbridge Small Scale Art Award, as well as a semi-finalist in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize.

Reclaiming Agency coincides with Alanah’s solo exhibition, HUMAN, creating an opportunity to continue the conversation beyond the canvas and explore what becomes possible when women are given space to be seen — and to tell their own stories.

Lauren Ellis — Curator

Lauren Ellis is Curatorial Manager at Bendigo Art Gallery, where she oversees exhibitions and collection development.

Throughout her career, Lauren has curated women’s art and stories across both contemporary and historical exhibitions, most recently for Frida Kahlo: In her own image. She holds a Master of Art Curatorship from the University of Melbourne and has previously worked for Museums Victoria and the University of Melbourne. Lauren is also a past President of the Victorian branch of the Australian Museums and Galleries Association.

Lauren brings an important curatorial perspective to the conversation: how women’s stories are collected, interpreted, exhibited and ultimately remembered.

Gayle Wilson — Author, Women’s Empowerment Mentor & Speaker

Gayle Wilson is an author, women’s empowerment mentor and speaker whose work centres on helping women reconnect with their voice, their confidence and the stories that have shaped them.

Through mentoring, conversation and the art of writing, Gayle explores how storytelling can help women make sense of their experiences, express what has previously been difficult to articulate, and bring greater grace and honesty into the way they communicate.

As the author of Where the Waves Break, Gayle is particularly passionate about the importance of women telling their own stories — and the connection, courage and collective understanding that becomes possible when they do.

Melesina “Sina” — MC

Part educator, part cultural archivist and full-time CEO of a household powered by three daughters, Melesina — known as Sina — is a mixed Polynesian woman on a sacred mission to document and preserve her people’s rich cultural heritage.

A decade into her teaching career, she has perfected the art of projection, patience and the infamous “teacher eyes” — skills that translate surprisingly well to strumming her guitar, belting out an eclectic mix of tunes and passionately supporting live sport from the stands.

Sina will guide the conversation with curiosity, warmth and plenty of humour, ensuring an important discussion about women, creativity and culture still leaves plenty of room for laughter.

An invitation to create, speak and be seen

Reclaiming Agency is ultimately an invitation.

To consider the stories women carry.

To recognise creativity as more than something beautiful we produce, but something that can help us process, heal, connect and find courage.

And perhaps to leave wondering:

What is the story within me that is ready to be expressed?

This is a free event, however attendance is strictly limited to 50 people and registration is essential.

Bress Wines will be joining us and providing refreshments for the evening. 🥂

Come for the art.
Stay for the conversation.
Leave inspired to tell your story — whatever form that might take.

Contact the host of Reclaiming Agency - Stories of Women in the Arts