Melania Trump made headlines for controversially wearing a jacket with a bold statement written across the back. This August Lake House Arts opens an exhibition of 35 jackets also making powerful statements, only this time the messages will be for a good cause.
Lake House has curated an exhibition featuring a mix of professional creatives who identify as female. The show will include, street artists, tattooists, illustrators, ceramicists, printmakers, fashion designers, and fine artists. The artists also come from a range of cultural backgrounds from all over NZ.
The title ‘Power Jacket’ is taken from the idea of the power suit, a symbol of second-wave Feminism. The word 'empowerment' is also a derivative of 'power' and it's a word that has long been linked to political movements.
Jackets are being used for this exhibition as women and fashion have a long and complex relationship, however, insignias on jackets are indicative of movements. Often these movements are more associated with male cultures such as heavy metal or punk music and political subcultures. This exhibition will use the same platform to give women a voice.
Power Jacket is being run to commemorate the upcoming 125th anniversary of women's suffrage in New Zealand. Lake House is proud to be donating 50% of the gallery takings to Women's Refuge New Zealand.
The opening night is at 6pm at Lake House Arts and will open with a fashion show. The exhibition is free to visit and will be open to the public from 7 August - 24 August.
