Art project calls for gender equity

Portraits of male Mayors that adorn Bayside City Council Chambers have been replaced with portraits of females who contribute to Bayside as part of the Changing Faces- Reframing Women in Local Democracy art project.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the art project has been taken online with over 170 portraits and profiles of inspirational local women sharing their stories and helping to address a historic under-representation of women Councillors on Bayside City Council.

In Bayside City Council’s 161 year history, only 15 female Mayors have been elected. The Changing Faces exhibition is intended to create meaningful debate and help address gender equity in local government.

Renowned photographic artist Ponch Hawkes, photographed women who were nominated by the community in recognition of their leadership in many areas including sport, the arts, politics, business, social justice, volunteerism and the media.

Hawkes challenged the participants to wear fake moustaches and beards, to humorously disrupt Bayside City Council's gender narrative.

Mayor, Cr Clarke Martin said the exhibition is provocative, controversial and will stimulate debate.

“This exhibition is extremely topical and has proven to be quite polarising but I think that’s the whole point,” said Cr Martin.

“We need to have these conversations so we can highlight the women and girls in our community and everything that makes them fantastic candidates for Council.

You can’t be what you can’t see and I really hope Changing Faces encourages more women in Bayside to become involved in local issues.”

Currently, Bayside City Council has one female elected member. Councillor Sonia Castelli hopes that Changing Faces shows young women and girls that they can be decision and policy makers.

“This is an important exhibition with an important message, shining a light on gender imbalance to encourage women and girls to consider a career in politics and to nominate for election in Bayside in 2020,” said Cr Castelli.

The exhibition is funded by a Gender Equality Through the Arts Project Grant from Vic Health.

Visit the online exhibition here. Bayside City Council is encouraging people to engage with the exhibition and share with women around Melbourne who may have an interest in running for Council.

Register your interest to run for Council