Inspiring murals to mark International Women's Day

Multimedia artist Sarah Gillings launched a specially-designed mural project, donating her skills to anyone with free wall space and willing to participate. Miss Gillings said she received an ‘exceptional’ response, from London Road’s Open Market to Hanover residents wanting to get involved. “It’s something that’s really close to my heart and I wanted to give back,” said Miss Gillings, in response to International Women’s Day (March 8), an annual celebration for the movement of women’s rights across the world. After a day of deliberating, two locations were selected – a Victorian arch on Madeira Drive at the RAG gallery and the garden wall at RISE refuge for abused women. RISE has been helping victims of domestic abuse and violence since 1994 offering help and support to abused women. The charity provides shelter at a refuge centre where women can flee from abuse and make the steps towards building an independent life. “We’re honoured to be chosen by Sarah for this gift for International Women’s Day,” said Naomi Bos, communications officer for the charity. “It will be a beautiful, inspiring, daily affirmation for both survivors of domestic abuse and RISE staff that ‘we can do it’.” Brighton and Hove police respond to an estimated 4,000 domestic abuse related calls a year, the charity said. “I want to pass the message on of self acceptance through my artwork,” said Miss Gillings The first mural can now be seen at Madeira Drive, boasting a mash-up of J.Howard Miller’s iconic ‘We can do it!’ poster, in a portraiture style of historically-famous feminist artist, Frida Kahlo. Work on the RISE mural is set to start next week, which will be a tweaked version of the first in Madeira Drive, Frida included. To view more of Miss Gillings’ work, click here.