By Gil Tucker Global News
Posted June 2, 2023, 11:00 There’s a new effort to end some lingering inequalities that have been highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. As Gil Tucker shows us, it involves dozens of Calgarians sharing their stories about women’s work. There’s a new Calgary effort to end some of the lingering inequalities that have been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Artist Veronica Funk has put together an exhibit called Woman’s Work, featuring portraits of 50 women who work in a wide variety of fields. Funk began connecting with them shortly after COVID hit in March 2020. The project also includes those women’s stories of how their lives changed during the pandemic. “I was really disappointed to hear how many women were disproportionately affected by job loss during the pandemic,” Funk said. “Everything was falling on women, again.” One of the women whose portrait is featured in the exhibit is Jean Parker, a single mom who’s now developing her artistic talents after spending decades as a business executive. “It’s phenomenal,” Parker told Funk, “You’ve honoured the women and their work, and their journeys.” The Woman’s Work exhibit runs through until the end of June at Sparrow Artspace in Calgary’s Bridgeland neighbourhood. Funk is hoping her work can help efforts to correct imbalances facing women. “Women’s salaries in Canada statistically are still smaller than men’s, for the same work,” Funk said. ”The pandemic highlighted that inequality and hopefully will be a proponent of change.” https://globalnews.ca/news/9740515/calgary-art-exhibit-womens-struggles-covid-19-pandemic/ I had a wonderful little chat with Chris dela Torre on The Homestretch on CBC Calgary yesterday. As most people know, I love CBC and felt extremely honoured to be invited to discuss the 'Woman's Work' project that is being exhibited at Sparrow Artspace throughout the month of July in Calgary. The building is open to the public Thursday to Saturday, 11am to 6pm or by appointment. The interview is available online here.
Such a wonderful week...my youngest daughter graduated with Honours. It's been a long, hard road but she says it was worth every moment. Now she's preparing to head to England in autumn to focus on a Master's Degree in Holocaust Studies. We will miss her terribly but are so grateful to be able to spend the summer with her.
Thanks to Gil Tucker for coming the Sparrow Artspace today to learn more about Veronica Funk’s work and meet some of the women who she has painted.
Check out Global Calgary Friday, June 2nd, at 5,6, and 11pm to catch the interview! Opening Reception at 36 Fourth St NE in Calgary Saturday, June 3, 1-4pm. |
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