IT’S NOT ABOUT BEING GRACEFUL, IT’S ABOUT SURVIVAL > TABITHA WELLS

It’s not about being graceful

It’s about survival. by Tabitha Wells

Above, Ann Randeraad. Inset, one of her clay pieces.

Ann Randeraad’s Rise Again collection gives voice to emotional impact of domestic/sexual violence, and instills hope

Speaking about sexual and intimate partner violence is about more than raising awareness and trying to end it—it’s also about providing hope and healing for those who are victims of it.

“Certainly the stories need to be told, and the truth needs to be out there,” said Ann Randeraad, a local clay artist, illustrator, and writer.

“But it’s also that people who have gone through it, or are currently in these kinds of situations, need to know they’re not alone, first and foremost. It needs to bring exposure, but it also needs to bring validity to the journey back out.”

In November, Ann will bring her show, Rise Again, to Hereward Farms in East Garafraxa—a collection of pieces that demonstrate the stories that come from those who have experienced or been close to someone who has gone through sexual or intimate partner violence.

“As the name might suggest, it is about the story of survivors gaining back and indeed having the ability to rise again,” Ann explained. “There are both sculptures and other forms of art that will relate to that journey.”

Ann worked with Family Transition Place (FTP) on finding the location for her show, and Hereward Farms was selected because of their ongoing support for the organization and what it does.

“We wanted to find a location that would pay tribute to their work and the purpose and direction of the show,” said Ann. “It just seemed like a very natural union [with Hereward Farms], and it’s such a beautiful backdrop that connects with the intention of the show.”

So what made Ann take on such an emotional and heavy topic? It’s personal for Ann, as she has both witnessed and experienced generational family violence. A show like Rise

Again is filled with so much raw emotional experience. It aims to give those going through this kind of violence a space to not only feel seen, but to give them assurance that they are not alone and that support is available.

“I believe very strongly that many people feel that they are alone or without support because there’s so much shame attached to experiencing this,” said Ann. “People [often] believe that they’re in some way at fault or contributing to it. They believe that, of course, because they’ve been conditioned to believe it.”

Ann hopes that Rise Again gives voice to the pain suffered by those experiencing domestic violence and that together we can make change.

“Even with all our knowledge and the support networks that are far beyond what my mother or grandmother had in place, domestic violence is still an ongoing issue,” Ann said. “There’s still a very definite need for support. I hope that people recognize this as a community, as a society and that we’re aware that the issue is ongoing. I want to shed light on it.”

She also hopes that open discussion on domestic violence helps survivors realize that support is out there, helps them to realize that they are not responsible for the abuse and especially, that they know they are not alone in the healing journey.

Ann says the idea for the show originally came from a series of poems she was writing, which are now part of a book. When she was working through her clay mentorship through a program with the Ontario Clay and Glass Association, her mentor chose to use a book called The Artist’s Way to help the artists in the program peel back and find their creative voice.

“All you needed to do was write about anything for 12 weeks,” Ann explained. “Even though I had dealt with some of these issues as a young adult, I realized almost immediately that I had only peeled surface layers away. What started as one poem quickly became many poems.”

As the poems came out, Ann realized it needed to become more—it needed to become a show, because the story needs to be told. The aim is that the poems, sculptures, and show create opportunities for connection with people, becoming part of a web of support, helping them see the validity of their experiences.

“It’s emotional exposure,” explained Ann. “It’s important for people that go through things like this, because they’re often not free or encouraged even to express their emotions. There’s just so much shame.”

The sculptures in the collection are directly related to individual poems within the book, created with the same intention of identifying words that give voice and exposure to the rawness of the art.

“Combined with the poems, [they] are very direct, and I think will draw emotions from people, or sadly that people will relate to them,” said Ann.

She notes there will also be functional pieces as part of the show, as life isn’t just about the struggles.

“There’s also beauty in rising again,” Ann said. “It’s important to include beautiful pieces as part of this show to represent the beauty of survivors, and the opportunity to begin again. Even though it is hard and raw, and in many ways negative, Rise Again is about finding beauty and peace in ourselves and our lives moving forward.”

Giving voice to both the struggles and the hope of moving forward are things Ann believes are important in the fight to end sexual and intimate partner violence, and that is a big part of the Rise Again collection.

“The sculptures are not pristine and perfect, they are meant to be almost coarse,” said Ann. Because this is not about a pretty picture. This is about saying it straight. This is about getting through it. It’s not about being graceful, it is about survival.”

Rise Again will run from November 9 to December 4, Wednesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hereward Farms. The reception will take place on November 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from the show will be donated to FTP.

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