‘Hail Thee – We Come in Reveries of Change’ is a project created by designer Alison Conneely in support of UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, using fashion as a medium for social and environmental change. In it's essence, the project acts an opportunity to promote the rights and equality of women worldwide.
9 ARTISTS
9 SILK BANNERS FOR CHANGE
9 SILK BANNERS FOR CHANGE
I was one of nine artists that produced original artwork for this cross-cultural and multidisciplinary project that highlights global campaigns for reproductive rights, justice and equality for women: In their bodies; in the home; in the workplace; in the arts; saluting their place in myth and history and their role as agents of resolution in global crisis.
'The Weighing of the Heart' Silk scarf design by Paula McGloin
Each scarf is an original artwork, silk screen printed. These beautiful wearable scarves aim to raise vital funds for the cause, using original artworks and are available to purchase online.
Colours and symbols in delicate silk invoke ancient myths, poetic imaginings, native American wisdom and the migrant’s crossing in a series of silk scarves created with international artists - Alannah Davey, Dolorosa de la Cruz, Rachel Fallon, Rosa Farahini, Jahnavi Inniss, Alice Maher, Paula McGloin, Jesse Jones, Hina Khan & Isabel Nolan.
For this collaborative project I designed two scarf designs, first entitled 'The Weighing of the Heart', and second 'The Witch Hare'. 'The Weighing of the Heart' scarf artwork was created in response to worldwide calls for fairness in Judicial systems.
'In this otherworldly tale Paula McGloin creates a celestial courtroom with the weighing of the heart against the feather of truth. Osiris loses his power, and his golden scale and we encounter a regally hanging, feathered Ma’at who takes her place as our Goddess of Justice. The heavy heart burns and blazes a path, and fairness and balance reign. We stand with those burdened by injustice.'
Words Sara O’Rourke
Words Sara O’Rourke
'The Witch Hare' - Silk scarf design
'The Justice Hare' Silk scarf design.
Inspired by the Irish folk tale of the Witch Hare. The Witch Hare is a shape shifter, a woman possessing strong healing powers. She was feared for her knowledge and wisdom. Irish folk stories describe the woman shapeshifting into the form of a Hare and concealing herself among the dense Gorse.
In this scarf design, the Hares move around a circle of gorse, the composition acts like a wheel turning, where we notice the continual transition of the Witch into a Hare form and back again. In the centre the Witch Hare represents the figure of Justice, blind and wielding a sword.
Inspired by the Irish folk tale of the Witch Hare. The Witch Hare is a shape shifter, a woman possessing strong healing powers. She was feared for her knowledge and wisdom. Irish folk stories describe the woman shapeshifting into the form of a Hare and concealing herself among the dense Gorse.
In this scarf design, the Hares move around a circle of gorse, the composition acts like a wheel turning, where we notice the continual transition of the Witch into a Hare form and back again. In the centre the Witch Hare represents the figure of Justice, blind and wielding a sword.
Hail Thee: We come in Reveries - Exhibition and talks in the Irish Georgian Society, Irish Design Week 2023
Hail Thee: We Come in Reveries of Change was exhibited at the Irish Georgian Society on 17 November 2023 as the closing event for Irish Design Week 2023.
This project at the prestigious Irish Design Awards 2023 in the category for Fashion Accessories (Fashion, Textiles & Jewellery Design).
Collaborators
Writer & researcher Sara O’Rourke
Writer & researcher Sara O’Rourke
Designer Keith Nally.Photographic Team
Photographer Eilish McCormack
Cast Chephirah, Aicha, Clara, Ami @ Not Another International and Glasgow Diaz. Grooming Leonard Daly
Photographer Eilish McCormack
Cast Chephirah, Aicha, Clara, Ami @ Not Another International and Glasgow Diaz. Grooming Leonard Daly