Starting Monday, 4th November, until Thursday, 7th November, the Mander Centre Community Hub in Wolverhampton will be transformed into a space of reflection, resilience, and expression through the “1in3” art exhibition. This powerful display brings together a collection of artworks from local community groups, each piece shining a light on the impact of gender-based violence. The “1in3” project, funded by Arts Council England through the National Lottery Project Grant, has guided this journey over the past six months, engaging participants in a meaningful exploration of art as a tool for healing, awareness, and social change.
Throughout these months, the project has reached deep into Wolverhampton’s diverse communities, offering 36 workshops to 150 participants in person. Through creativity, participants explored their personal experiences, giving voice to emotions often left unspoken.
The “1in3” project brought together a broad spectrum of community groups across Wolverhampton, including multicultural, multifaith, LGBTQ+, men’s and women’s groups such as SNJ Charitable Trust, Gatis Community Center, Aspiring Future, Heath Town’s Elderly Group, Hope Women’s Group, and Let’s Get Together Penderford. These groups, representing various ages, backgrounds, and experiences, collaborated in workshops encouraging open dialogue, creative expression, and mutual support. Through art and poetry, they shared personal and collective stories, creating powerful pieces that capture the resilience and unity of the community in the face of gender-based violence.
At the heart of the project is Damayanthi, the passionate founder of the “1in3” initiative. Working alongside Diyodi Menon, Ian Henry, Arun Kapoor, Shehani Perera and other talented local artists, she has helped shape this project into a visual testament to the experiences of gender-based violence survivors. Each piece in the exhibition reflects both the individual journeys of the artists and the collective strength of the community.
Volunteers who initially joined as participants, like Haleh and Sukhi, further contributed by sharing their skills in arts and crafts, inspiring fellow creators and strengthening the community spirit of the project. Their dedication has enriched the work on display, showcasing the transformative power of creativity and connection.
The exhibition also offers an opportunity to explore the written word as an expression of resilience and voice. On Sunday, 3rd November, the project will host a spoken word event, launching four new books by four exceptionally talented women Lisa, Cheryl, Julie, and Sara who participated in the project’s workshops. Filled with poetry and prose, these books provide another layer of perspective on the challenges and triumphs of gender-based violence survivors. Copies of these books will be available for purchase at the exhibition, allowing visitors to take these powerful stories home and continue the conversation.
The exhibition is open daily from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Mander Centre Community Hub from 4th to 7th November. Each piece on display, from paintings to poetry, serves as a reminder of the strength that arises when a community unites to confront difficult issues. This exhibition is an invitation to reflect, to empathize, and to join the call for a world free from gender-based violence.
