A Belfast visual artist will be focusing on “promoting both the equality of humanity and nature across the city” during this year’s Culture Night Belfast, 18 September.
By showcasing her successful female equality collection, ‘I AM WOMAN’, at Belfast Cathedral. While also exhibiting her body of work, ‘Natural Beauty’ and a creative workshop at Paperxclips ‘queer’ cafe. Lise McGreevy aims through her work to promote the rights of females and nature, both locally and in the UK. In spite of all the divisions of thought and action relating to each of these core issues in our society today.
She said: “Inclusion for all, both the young and not so young, is vital as our city continues to grow in its diversity.
“Culture Night is an all-Ireland celebration demonstrating the benefits that arts and culture can bring to society. With Culture Night Belfast standing tall in promoting both our city and #aNightForAll.
“So, it is serendipitous that my latest collection shall be previewed at Paperxclips, which is the city’s only independent, queer-owned and operated bookshop, coffee shop and community space.
“While also commissioned for hosting by the Dean himself until 30 september, my second exhibition promotes female equality across creed, colour religion and sexual orientation. It is being hosted at one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, Belfast Cathedral. So, I am delighted to be joining in with the inclusivity and #OneNightForAll ethos of the festival.”
Like a stick of rock, Lise’s art practice has equality running through to its core. But it is not only equality in humanity she is passionate about.
“I strongly believe in equality for nature too, ” said Lise. “Afterall Mother Nature is the greatest female of all.
” ‘Natural Natures’ is an eclectic look at the stunning beauty of our local landscapes. Belfast based and further afield. The wider public are all welcome to come and enjoy the collection at the cafe from 4pm-10pm. Grab a coffee and a treat and try their hand at drawing nature or a local beauty spot they love. There will even be a prize for the top three works.”
She added: “I am absolutely delighted at this wonderful opportunity to be hosting both my equality centred collections simultaneously at two fabulous venues during the festival.”
Lise hopes that through her work she is adding her voice to the tens of thousands of people who want to put an end to violence and ill-treatment of females and also nature across the country.
“Important changes have already been made to the law here but a lot more still needs to be done in relation to protecting both, now and in the future. It is only by coming and working together like this and joining forces to make these changes happen.”
With her ‘I Am Woman’ collection the artist reacts to the fact that although females are 52% of the adult population in the North and 50.5% in the South. They are still treated unequally in all sectors of society, legally as well as morally.
Lise said ” We are the majority in our society, yet many females keep very much to their own sectors. I was looking for a way to bring all of us together as the majority and to promote females standing together as the majority that we are.
“One of the core things we all have in common is our emotional dexterity. Therefore, I decided to create a body of work where each piece represents a particular emotion that we feel.
“Hopefully my work will connect with females through their individual feelings. Hopefully seeing the pieces in public spaces, they might realise that they are not alone and that the sometimes harrowing emotions they are feeling are felt by thousands of others too.”
‘Natural Beauty’ is part of the artist’s larger educational and creative programme, ‘The End Is Nigh’, which promotes greater lateral thinking and carbon footprint ownership for all sectors on climate change and sustainability. It was launched two years ago at Feile an Phobail.
“This programme takes an all island viewpoint on the climate catastrophe, as climate change knows no borders. Although focused locally, the project highlights the horrendous future that lies ahead for our planet should we ALL not act NOW.
‘I Am Woman’ will be showcased at Belfast Cathedral until 30th Sept and from 10.30am to 4pm on 18th September. For further information on either collection or other forthcoming events that Lise is organising. Please email her at LiseMcGreevyPhotographic@gmail.com.
