Bag of Excuses

Gemma Mae Halligan, a theatre maker, specialising in devised theatre and Sinéad O’Neill-Nicholl, a sound installation artist with a research based practice have been exploring the research around femicide by Professor Jane Monckton-Smith.

‘Bag of Excuses’ is a multi-media installation inspired by source material obtained from the BBC Sounds Assume Nothing podcast Femicide:Eight Steps to Stop a Murder and reflects the collaborative work in progress between Halligan and O’Neill-Nicholl.

Prof Jane Monckton Smith has outlined eight stages that lead to virtually all instances of intimate partner homicide. The podcast examines these stages through the cases of eight Irish women murdered by men who claimed to love them. Monckton Smith’s research is devastating and proves that femicide is largely preventable, if only we understood it more and believed the mythology of men killing women a little less.

The work in progress exhibited at Vault Artist Studios contains sound, video imagery and textiles and is inspired by the research of Professor Jane Monckton Smith.

The exhibition will also include a live performance.

Please be aware that this installation deals with themes of violence and murder against women and girls.

Sinéad O’Neill-Nicholl www.sineadonart.com

Gemma Mae Halligan www.amadanensemble.com/about

This exhibition has been supported by Esme Mitchell Trust, Belfast City Council and Arts Council NI.

The following resources are available:

Women’s Aid

For free & confidential support or advice call 028 9066 6049, email: support@belfastwomensaid.org.uk or use our webchat service. Call, email or chat online for support Mon to Fri 9am–5pm; evening support available until 8pm on Thursdays.

The Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline is available 24/7 on 0808 802 141

BBC Sounds Assume Nothing podcast Femicide:Eight Steps to Stop a Murder.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0hj410j