Firstsite

Working with textile artist Clare Marsh, Firstsite’s Young Art Kommunity (YAK) began by exploring the history of the Suffragettes’ struggle. YAK were particularly moved by the lengths Suffragettes were prepared to go to in their fight against the outrageous inequalities women experienced.

The group discussed the importance of universal suffrage and the current struggles confronting their generation, with a focus on voting age, young women, clothing and the way individuality can be expressed. School uniform was a topic addressed at length, as was the dress code still expected of women within a business environment, exemplified by the incident in 2016 of a receptionist being sent home from work at a corporate finance company after refusing to wear high heels. After discussion of possible wording for the banner, the group decided to focus on the expression of individual voices as part of a universal message of solidarity. The result was the message, ‘Why should we be uniform?’, combined with sashes made and worn by individual participants expressing their own personal self-definitions.

"I was surprised (or maybe disappointed) to learn that 'white' represented purity in the original colour scheme. What kind of purity did this refer to? Also, given that the original colour scheme is being kept, how should we interpret 'purity' in light of the value of diversity? The project caused discussions which gave me new insight into different varieties of feminism and what they mean to people."
Workshop participant

"Having a vote: represents choice and the power to be heard."
Workshop participant

"I’m so glad I came across YAK…I never thought I would be doing the things such as going to London for the Processions event or even being more social, but thanks to you I have been encouraged and enabled to do so!"
(New YAK member and PROCESSIONS event participant

Equality is at the heart of everything Firstsite does - through the exhibition and film programmes it presents, and the family activities and events organised. At the centre of Firstsite’s contribution to PROCESSIONS, working with Colchester artist Clare Marsh, is its Young Art Kommunity (YAK). YAK is open to all people, aged 15-25 years, and provides opportunities to get practical, hands-on experience in the arts, designing and delivering parts of Firstsite’s programme and taking part in exciting projects like Processions. If you are interested in getting involved with YAK, please contact Beth Hull, Programme Organiser for Young People on beth@firstsite.uk or 01206 713700.