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The first of two mosaics in the "Women Recreated" series.

By Rosie Hales, Communications Officer

Queen’s students, faculty, staff and community members have collectively produced two mosaics to celebrate women’s strength, and a third is on the way.

“The protection and advocacy for human rights and women’s right to a safe space requires ongoing efforts,” says Irene Bujara, director of the Human Rights Office at Queen’s. “This initiative gives community members who wish to contribute to the celebration of women’s strength the opportunity to do so on an ongoing basis.”

Currently, the two mosaics feature work from over 140 different people and over 130 tiles, with themes ranging from maternity to the strength and resilient nature of women. The mosaics were unveiled at the Human Rights Office’s 20th anniversary celebration in September. The third mosaic will follow the same theme as the first two: women’s empowerment.

Fourth year concurrent education student Penghui Sun contributed a tile that shows 4 groups known for their maternal instinct: elephants, lions, meerkats, and human mothers. Rebecca Anweiler, a teaching faculty member in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program also chose a maternal theme when she decided to illustrate a woman’s hands, folded over her pregnant belly.

Queen’s Planner for Campus Planning and Development, Maridee Osolinsky, used a combination of wood and paint to show the strength of women.

“The bark may appear battered and rough on the outside, but there is strength within all layers of the wood,” says Ms. Osolinsky. “The collective wood cross sections together show the collective strength of women who go on to thrive with the support of their community.”

The second mosaic in the "Women Recreated" project.

William Monague, an artist from Midland, Ont., contributed 4 tiles, one of which was titled “ButterFly Woman.”

“Many of the women in our native community including my mother, sisters, and aunties experience abuse,” says Mr. Monague. “[ButterFly Woman] represented Mother Earth’s women and their right to freedom from violence in their lives.”

Those interested in contributing to the third mosaic should contact Catherine Wells, Project Officer in the Human Rights Office, by email.