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Women who add colour to world acknowledged on International Women’s Day

Headshot of Kellie Balaam
Kellie BalaamAlbany Advertiser
Albany artist Chelsea Hopkins-Allan.
Camera IconAlbany artist Chelsea Hopkins-Allan. Credit: Laurie Benson/Albany Advertiser, Laurie Benson

On Monday the world celebrated International Women’s Day.

Around WA people gave a well-deserved nod to all of the women who play an important part in continuing to shape the way we live.

Not only should we acknowledge the women who play a role in sectors such as emergency services, science, education, Indigenous affairs and business — there is also a wealth of talented women making a huge contribution to the arts.

The team at the Vancouver Arts Centre drew focus to these women with a tribute to female creators throughout the region.

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“From creating to teaching, or simply supporting the works of others, female artists play an integral role in the development and growth of art around the world,” they said on Facebook.

Through the City of Albany Arts and Culture Facebook page, the team shared three of its favourite pieces of art belonging to the City’s art collection.

Pantjiti Mary McLean's work titled Hunting Ground.
Camera IconPantjiti Mary McLean's work titled Hunting Ground. Credit: Supplied

Acrylic artist Pantjiti Mary McLean was featured for her artwork titled Hunting Ground that won the Albany Art Prize.

Also from that collection was Helen Smith who was recognised for her 2011 oil painting titled Arc Drawing #3.

Nature painter Chelsea Hopkins-Allan was recognised by the City for her 2017 piece depicting an intricate design, Wing Scales of the Southern Old Lady Moth, which won the Great Southern Art Award.

Known for her butterfly and moth artwork, Hopkins-Allan was featured in a December issue of Inspire.

Helen Smith's work titled Arc Drawing #3.
Camera IconHelen Smith's work titled Arc Drawing #3. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Eight years ago, Hopkins-Allan was a budding environmental scientist engrossed in a world of all things nature and science when that world was turned upside down.

Suffering from a debilitating illness, she went through her own metamorphosis.

After finding comfort and enjoyment in creative expression, others have been drawn to her artwork like moths to a flame.

Chelsea Hopkins-Allan's Wing Scales of the Southern Old Lady Moth.
Camera IconChelsea Hopkins-Allan's Wing Scales of the Southern Old Lady Moth. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

The aim of this section of the newspaper is in the name.

Every week, we highlight an artist, important cultural figure or creative — and over the past year many of these have been women.

From encaustic wax painter Annie Johnson to author Dianne Wolfer and Menang elder Vernice Gillies, we have interviewed a range of intriguing women who make up the fabric of this part of the world.

It is our pleasure and privilege.

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