GBV-themed mural at Orchards Clinic creates a dialogue around domestic violence
Mural artist Tracy Rose said, "The title, "Your penis is not a weapon’, is the possibility of the tagline of the work used as a mantra of revolt by women, who may adopt it to distinguish a revolt against perpetrators of GBV."
Mural artist Tracey Rose’s gender-based violence-themed mural at Orchards Clinic called Your penis is not a weapon aims to create a dialogue around domestic violence in our country.
Rose said she hopes the art will spark necessary dialogues during 16 Days of Activism.
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“We hope the work will take the edge off the pervasive silence that reinforces the trauma of GBV and other social ills. This space of engagement in Orchards Clinic has collectively envisioned elements of hope, strength, protection, safety, and renewal we all desire.”
In a statement issued by Kenneth Nxumalo, it said the campaign aimed to generate awareness, share important information, and highlight ways that can help tackle gender-based violence.
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The mural artist added that society was profoundly damaged.
“The clinic site is the centre for healing this trauma and is the core visual intention of the mural, and its considered imagery and material selection. In the mural, a monster emerges from a swamp which is literal metaphor for the idea of gender-based violence. The monster impacts society, and signifiers of GBV’s causes, effects, and aftermath is depicted.”
Rose added that a mural is not going to end GBV overnight. However, an ensemble of artists hopes this work sparks at least the tiniest conversations around the ills of GBV poisoning the country currently to gain momentum.
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