Vivian Smith
Artist in Residence: July - August 10 2024
ABOUT VIVIAN SMITH
A two-month artist residency at KOAC with Vivian Smith concluded with an artist talk August 10, 2024, titled Invisible Hands: The Unseen Labour of Women. Vivian Smith, a graduate of the Alberta University of the Arts, majored in drawing with a minor in ceramics. She describes herself as a visual artist who brings to light the under explored stories of women. From the challenges of navigating major life changes to the nuanced intricacies of juggling domestic roles while working outside the home, Vivian unveiled the underexplored histories of women.
Invisible Hands: The Unseen Labour of Women captured Vivian’s passion drawing from her own personal journey to spotlight the overlooked and undervalued labour of women in domestic spheres and how inequality in labour distribution at home can impact gender inequality in the workplace.
The extensive list of tasks and responsibilities associated with sustaining life, including domestic chores, mental load, care-giving, and emotional labour, is central to the fabric of societies worldwide. Historically, women have been at the forefront of this labour. This work is essential – without it, societies would unravel. With the advent and spread of patriarchal systems, women’s roles became marginalized, and their contributions sidelined. The importance of domestic labor was devalued, and women’s work began to be seen as ‘natural’ or ‘expected,’ making it easier for societies to take it for granted. Domestic labour often remains invisible, unpaid, and unrecognized in official histories and accounts and even in popular culture. The additional workload many women shoulder at home can contribute significantly to them exiting the workforce, as was highlighted during the early stages of COVID-19, impacting not only their individual economic independence, but also broader economic growth and gender equality. Beyond the visual stories that were presented in this exhibition lies deeper questions: Why does gender inequality persist? How are imbalances in the domestic sphere reflected in today’s workplace? What can be done to rebalance inequalities at home to achieve greater equity within our society?
Invisible Hands is both a continuation and evolution of Vivian’s commitment to illuminating the vast spectrum of women’s hidden stories. By intertwining selected, relevant materials and subjects, she aims to bring to the forefront the suppressed stories of women, emphasizing the depths and complexities of these experiences.
Vivian Smith and KOAC acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts for the work completed during Vivian’s residency.
See more of Vivian Smith’s works on Instagram.
Images courtesy of the artist - Instagram @viviansmith.art
