This story was first published in the Newcastle Herald Weekender in print and online in the Newcastle Herald Weekender on March 7, 2025.
Image credit: The Creator Incubator IWD exhibition 2025, Photo by Marina Neil
The Creator Incubator is celebrating International Women’s Day 2025 by showcasing the works of 114 female artists from across the Hunter Region.
Counteractions, running from March 6 to 23, is curated by well-known Creator Incubator artists Kara Wood, Lyndal Campbell and Marlene Houston.
All funds raised by the exhibition will be donated to Nova for Women and Children, a charity that supports women and children in crisis or at risk of homelessness in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.
Counteractions is centred around the 2025 United Nations (UN) International Women’s Day theme, “March Forward: For all girls and women”.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of International Women’s Day, which was adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995 through the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The pioneering document outlined 12 areas where progress was critically needed to improve the lives and rights of girls and women globally.
Through this year’s March Forward theme, the UN recognises that while significant progress has been made towards gender equality, much more remains to be done.
“Each year, I reflect on gender equality and question how much must still be done to achieve true parity,” says artist and Counteractions curator Kara Wood.
“Australia is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), ratified in 1980.
“Yet, 45 years later, we still fall short of compliance with many of its articles. Ranked 43rd in the world for gender equality, it is staggering that a wealthy, educated nation like ours continues to see women face discrimination and inequality across most aspects of life.
“My work speaks to these injustices and challenges the systems that perpetuate them.”
The Creator Incubator’s inaugural International Women’s Day exhibition in 2024 came about after Wood approached the gallery’s founder and director Dr Braddon Snape and its creative community of artists and designers – who Wood describes as “strong advocates for feminist initiatives” – with the idea. It was a huge success, and has since become an annual event.
“While listing the facts [around gender equality] can make it seem all doom and gloom, this exhibition is ultimately a celebration – of women, talent, community, and support,” Wood explains.
“When we lift each other up, we all rise. Our children witness women doing great things and are inspired to do great things in turn.
“Women’s voices have power, resilience and strength. A program that amplifies these voices benefits everyone, helping us take meaningful steps toward true gender equality.”
The exhibition, which officially opens on International Women’s Day (March 8), is thought to be one of the largest all-female exhibitions in Australia outside of the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) in Canberra. The 2025 Counteractions: March Forward exhibition showcases emerging talents, mid-career artists and established names.
Two events will also be held as part of the Counteractions 2025 program. On March 15, a panel discussion exploring the themes of leadership, equity, inclusivity and the future of women’s advancement will take place. Panellist speakers include Lauretta Morton OAM (director, Newcastle Art Gallery), Rosemarie Milsom (director, Newcastle Writers Festival), Gerry Bobsien (director, Maitland Regional Art Gallery), Nicole Monks (award-winning multidisciplinary artist) and Catherine Henry (principal at Catherine Henry Lawyers).
And, on March 16, there’s a professional development workshop for women in the arts with guest speakers Courtney Novak (Maitland Regional Art Gallery deputy director) and Miriam Kelly (Newcastle Art Gallery’s head of curatorial and exhibitions).
“For me, International Women’s Day is a reminder of the matriarchal strength and resilience that runs through my family and my connection to Country,” says Nicole Monks, a panellist and an exhibiting multidisciplinary creative of Yamaji Wajarri, Dutch and English heritage.
“It’s a moment to reflect on the toughest of challenges my family has faced – abuse, stolen children, land and wages, and how we continue to endure.
“Events like International Women’s Day, especially when supporting groups like Nova for Women and Children, help bring these stories to the forefront. They give us the chance to speak up, heal and move forward towards a future where women and children can thrive and are empowered to live their fullest lives.”
Counteractions: March Forward is on at The Creator Incubator, 15a/50 Clyde Street, Hamilton North, from March 6 to 23. The exhibition’s official launch is on Saturday, March 8, at 6pm.
Lisa Cugnetto 