When words are inadequate - exploring domestic violence deaths through art

The more we talk about domestic violence the more as a community we are being asked to step up and stop the violence. In the exquisite picket fence enclosed houses of "Control, abuse, kill, she’ll be right mate", artist Paulette Hayes challenges her audience as she intimately explores the stories of women who have died as a result of violence.
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[@mattchilds4656]

WOW!!! Your use of symbolism Paulette is wonderful. The message is simple, the detail brilliant. Every house has a story and your art tells many stories of the violence impacting so many lives, sadly on a daily basis. Each piece speaks volumes... it is like a symphony of abuse playing to our senses. I wish you all the very best and I hope people do ask questions... many questions and collectively as a society, we can deliver answers to fix what is broken in the family home when it comes to violence... I grew up in a home riddled with domestic violence brought about by my dad's drinking and then later my brother's drinking and your beautiful artwork deliver a powerful reminder of what I faced and what some don't survive. The fragility in my family home teetered on how much alcohol was consumed. The thought and detail conveyed through your research to produce your masterful artwork is incredible. Thank you for sharing and I wish you all the very best.

[@cathymiller6254]

Paulette, this is an extraordinary representation of the horror of domestic violence. A gentle representation of the women who we’ve lost. Please let us be able to visit this across Australia. Amazing thank-you 💖

[@magdalenaportmann2431]

I just watched this again, Paulette. Each time, I am deeply moved by your work.

[@astjones]

A tragic and important issue Paulette, you have treated it with great care and you have done great job memorialising these women and what they suffered at the hands of those who were supposed to love them.

[@maryannelia1255]

Beautifully done, what loving work.

[@gregtheone975]

Everyone needs to be remembered I love your work very touching

[@tinkerbelldog6321]

Fabulous and conscious work. Thank you. Gratitude for the informative information and creativity. 🙏💜Blessings.

[@leefleming4868]

Dramatically touching work. I’d love to see the exhibition. Perhaps a travelling funded exhibit. Something everyone should see.

[@lohanfamilyfun8991]

Amazing imagery & very well done. Horrific but not forgotten ❤️

[@jane1562]

This work by Paulette is fabulous

[@brett22bt]

I applaud the important work of Paulette Hayes, it's extremely moving and upsetting, but also quite beautiful at the same time. I'm glad she's drawing attention to this complex issue as I'm actually a survivor of domestic violence. Luckily I'm still alive to tell my story, unlike the poor women who were senselessly murdered and have been memorialized with great respect in Paulette's amazing work. I am Male and my ex-partner and perpetrator was female. I never laid a hand on her once, but was subjected to weaponized attacks from her on a regular basis. Her weapon of choice was usually a knife and I sustained multiple slash and stab wounds on several occasions, but also was inflicted with blunt force trauma injures from a variety of other objects. I know this bucks the trend and is not often spoken about, but I feel it's relevant to point out as this issue is not necessarily always gender based, but can often just be a power issue within any type of relationship. I realize there can be a tendency to presume this type of abuse is a problem intrinsic with masculinity, but after speaking with others like myself, I've come to understand it's not that simple. In no way am I attempting to diminish the horrific crimes that have been committed by a minority of men, but I believe the situation needs to be examined in a clear and rational manner. These types of crimes are committed by an even smaller minority of women but they do still occur none the less. This may be an uncomfortable truth for some members of our community to grapple with, but still needs to be confronted if we intend to solve this problem in it's entirety. The abuse I suffered has had a profound effect on me and although it happened some years ago, I still struggle to come to terms with what happened to this day. I believe most people are aware that the majority of any gender group are kind caring people who detest violence and these types of crimes are manifested within a deeply disturbed minority. When I hear a particular gender being targeted as a whole instead of acknowledging the real problem at hand, it only deepens my sadness further, as I feel wrongly implicated in the horrific actions of others. I think we need to be careful with the language we use surrounding these incidents and apply solid logic and be aware of our emotional responses. Recent comments made by Detective Inspector Mark Thompson and Bettina Arndt following the murder of Hannah Clarke and her three children are without question totally unforgivable and have no place in a civilized society. There can be no justification for premeditated coldblooded murder under any circumstances whatsoever and these types of comments fall into the emotional response category I mentioned earlier. But so to do the suggestions by some media commentators stating that "all men" within our society who become separated from their partners should be monitored by the police. Both of these approaches are counterproductive and only serve to exasperate the issue, fueling tensions between us all. It's my hope that we're able to seek out practical solutions and invest in the resources required to minimize as much as humanly possible any further events of this horrific nature and provide the much needed support for all those concerned.

[@mikozaire58]

Beautiful work

[@mcewenca]

Beautiful but very sad

[@sallys1986]

Is Paulette's exhibition set up somewhere to be seen?

[@cathmarciniak1377]

It was a masters student graduation work but stay tuned I know she is applying to galleries as I type.

[@sallys1986]

@@cathmarciniak1377 thank you for that information, i appreciate it! All the best for her work

[@ChristineQ-wr6iv]

The women are totally innocent victims