As may be aware, today marks International Women’s day! It has been a tough year for women across the board – but if anything, adversity has lead to an outpour of empowerment, and rallied strength in numbers. The City of Sydney will celebrate with a dedicated march this Saturday, organised by the Unions of NSW. If you haven’t already spied the march poster designed by Charlotte Allingham – it’s out of this world; but this isn’t the first time the Wiradjuri woman has painted a powerful cause.
For this year’s procession, the Union of NSW has selected the Wiradjuri artist, Charlotte Allingham, to be the designer for their poster. The same artist made it official through her Instagram account (@coffinbirth) on February 17th which received massive support from her 16 thousand followers.
Charlotte Allingham is a Melbourne-based illustrator who describes herself as a creator, occultist and concept artist; her older pieces of art were mostly marked by the European folklore in which she filled her drawings. Think witchcraft, snakes, mermaids and satanic figures… but needless to say, her art has drastically changed since then. She made it her purpose that this 2018 she would revindicate her ties to the aboriginal community, and to the civil rights movements.
This year, Charlotte’s drawings have mostly depicted Aboriginal men and women defending the rights of their communities all surrounded by the items that characterise the rich ancestry of the Aboriginal community. Totems, face paint, and Dreamtime creatures cover the brave and punching art of Charlotte Allingham; an art which went unnoticed until last January 26th, in which her drawing of an Aboriginal woman holding a banner reading: “Always was, Always will be Aboriginal land” went completely viral. Now her work has been selected as the main promotional art for the International Women’s Day March on Saturday.
The poster depicts a procession of a small knot of diverse individuals on the street, led by an Aboriginal woman holding a banner painted with the slogan – “Stop the Silence! End the Violence! In the workplace, campus, and home”. Charlotte’s powerful composition proves again her ability to depict and champion the inherent struggle of minorities fighting for basic human rights.
Keep your eyes on Charlotte Ailingham, because this talented artist is here to stay! Don’t fret if you can’t get along to the march on Saturday 11th, the City of Sydney is hosting a number of other IWD events during the week.
