National Glass Centre

On Thursday 21 October, National Glass Centre (NGC) is hosting a celebration and special preview of an exhibition of artworks made for the ‘Shakti’ project.   

‘Shakti’, which means power – and is a synonym for woman in Hindi –, is a community project that sees over thirty North East-based women from black and ethnic communities and other community groups, taking part in a range of creative art, writing and drama workshops. The project’s aim is to express messages to others about domestic violence, tell stories of endurance and survival, and reflect upon and share personal experiences with other women.

The preview this Thursday will bring together and celebrate some of the artworks produced over the last four months.

Working with artist Josephine Taggart the women have been taking part in group activities to produce ‘life boxes’, boxes that contain personal and meaningful objects to tell an individual’s story of their experience and future hopes. The ‘life boxes’ will be on display in a temporary exhibition at NGC during Thursday’s preview. 

The ‘Shakti’ exhibition includes glass artworks inspired by some of the women’s ‘life boxes’. During September eight women took part in screen printing and glass printmaking sessions at National Glass Centre led by NGC Artist Educator Theresa Easton and artist Josephine Taggart. The exhibition is open to the public until the 7 November. 

'Shakti’ is an ongoing project initiated and organised by Sangini, a minority-led arts organisation based in Sunderland. Sangini aims to increase the quality of the lives of women of all ages, with a particular focus on women from ethnic minority communities, through artistic, cultural and recreational activities that promote diversity and well being. The ‘Shakti’ creative glass project is supported by, and took place at National Glass Centre.

The project is supported by the Northern Rock Foundation, Arts Council England, Sherburn House Charity, Hadrian Trust and National Glass Centre.  It has been delivered in partnership with Wearside Women in Need, MIND, Bridge, and the Angelou Centre, Newcastle.