Note. This event contains themes related to family violence, violence against women and gender-based violence which may impact some viewers. This includes the names of First Nations women whose identities have been published in the public domain.

A new audio visual artwork produced by Bendigo based artist and musician, Kylie Art/Sharp Candy, “The Women’s Memorial Tree” is a poignant protest about violence against women and will be screened, along with an expert panel on gender violence at La Trobe Art Institute on Thursday 8 August 2024 in a free event.

The issue of gender violence is a confronting and heartbreaking National Emergency, one that has also deeply affected the Bendigo community. On average, one woman is murdered every week in Australia and 2 in 5 women have experienced violence since the age of 15 with the perpetrator likely to be someone they know.

The artwork developed and created under a City of Greater Bendigo Create Lab 2024 grant in partnership with Emporium Creative Hub, was meticulously sculptured by hand, natively in VR by Ballarat based artist, Reverse Butcher, and is a versatile and experiential artwork set to a powerful and emotive soundtrack written and performed by Sharp Candy.

Driven by this rise of endemic violence against women and girls, the collaborators both felt a strong commitment to create an artwork that not only presented the stark facts, but also honoured the memory of Australian women killed by gender-based violence in a respectful and empathetic manner.

Guests at the event will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the artwork using VR headsets and will also be treated to a live rendition of the song by Sharp Candy.

The expert panel led by Principal Research Fellow at the La Trobe Rural Health School (LRHS) and Judith Lumley Centre at La Trobe University (LTU), Professor Leesa Hooker, will discuss the issue of gender violence in Greater Bendigo and what early intervention and preventative programs are in play or on their way.

The panel brings together local researchers and representatives working within Greater Bendigo on this issue and includes, Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) Central Victoria Chief Executive Officer, and Chair of CASA Victoria, Kate Wright; Associate Dean, Research and Industry Engagement and a Research Fellow at LRHS at LTU, Associate Professor Kirsty Forsdike; and Robyn Trainor, Head of Strategy and Impact within the Innovation and Impact Unit at Centre for Non-Violence (CNV).

The "Women's Memorial Tree" stands as a solemn testament to the lives lost and is a call to action, urging us all to put our hearts, deepest empathy, and creative energies into addressing this issue and fostering a world where such violence is no longer a tragic reality.

Kylie Art / Sharp Candy has teamed up with Sunshine Bendigo as the charity partner for this project, with all profits donated to Sunshine Bendigo. Donations of goods can also be dropped off by those attending the event.

The event is supported by La Trobe Art Institute situated on the lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation.