Hidden: An Exhibition Amplifying Women’s Voices Against Gender-Based Violence

Running from 21 November to 22 December, Hidden is a powerful exhibition that coincides with White Ribbon Day on 25 November—the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women—and the beginning of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. This moving showcase features artwork from 60 women who have been personally affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence in its many forms.

The exhibition prioritizes the artists’ voices, with all profiles and accompanying language presented exactly as the artists have chosen. This approach ensures their stories, perspectives, and creative expressions are conveyed authentically—whether shared in detail, sparsely, or in unconventional forms. Hidden is not just an exhibition but a testament to resilience, creativity, and the importance of being heard.

Cristina Starr

Cristina Starr is a London-based artist whose work delves into themes of brutality, love, violence, mortality, and human resilience. Drawing from deeply personal and universal experiences, her art explores the complex interplay between our animalistic instincts and the power dynamics that shape relationships and systems. A native of Washington, D.C., Cristina spent much of her life in New York City before relocating to London, with a formative period in Ballyvaughan, Ireland, during the early pandemic.

Her featured piece, Watching, is an evocative painting that examines dissociation and trauma within relationships. Through ambiguous and layered imagery, Cristina invites viewers to interpret the tension between love, violence, and self-awareness. A graduate of Goldsmiths London (MFA, 2023) and Brown University (BA, 2002), Cristina’s work has been showcased in prominent exhibitions across the UK, Ireland, and the U.S., earning her recognition for her thought-provoking exploration of the human condition.

Hui Yu Wang

Hui Yu Wang is a fine art photographer, curator, art historian, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the art world. As the CEO of Yuxuan Art Ltd, she specializes in showcasing contemporary and ancient Chinese and Taiwanese art, curating exhibitions to support emerging artists. Beyond her entrepreneurial endeavors, Hui Yu is a prolific artist herself, capturing the unexpected joys of life through watercolors, photography, and oil painting. With formal studies in art history, Chinese painting, and photography, her work reflects a deep understanding of cultural and artistic traditions blended with modern expression.

Her featured photograph, Stare, portrays a young girl selling paper flowers along the Ganges in India. Taken in February 2018, the image captures the profound maturity and resilience in the girl’s gaze, juxtaposing the innocence of childhood with the harsh realities of life. This work exemplifies Hui Yu’s ability to find extraordinary depth in ordinary moments, drawing viewers into the layered stories behind her subjects. Her extensive career includes exhibitions and curatorial projects across Taiwan, the UK, and the US, as well as published works and invited talks on Chinese art and culture.

Claire White

Claire White’s Behind the Curtains is a haunting exploration of the hidden scars of narcissistic abuse, rendered through a poignant combination of plastic, embroidery, and net curtain. The mixed media approach immediately draws the viewer into the duality of perception versus reality, with the translucent curtain acting as a metaphorical veil—what lies behind is obscured from society’s gaze.

The curled figure at the heart of the piece speaks volumes. Its defensive posture suggests vulnerability and pain, yet it remains an abstract symbol, inviting viewers to project their own interpretations. The embroidered words—sharp, accusatory fragments of the artist’s personal experience—cut through the soft fabric like scars on the psyche. This juxtaposition of delicate materials and harsh truths reinforces the idea that emotional abuse leaves wounds no less real than physical ones.

Artists Featuring in Hidden

Among the three artists mentioned above, here is a list of the superb artists featuring in the exhibition.

In the Dollhouse

Amy Oliver, Anne-Sophie Oury, Annie Taylor, Bryony Francis, Catherine Hill, Jane Claire Wilson, Linda Pearl Izan, Maria Walker, and Marie Hortin.

In the Gallery

Amarajyoti, Amelie Kellert, Amy Jasmine Ireland, Anisa Mosaiebiniya, Anne-Sophie Curry, Barbara Ash, Carly Roach, Cat Thorne, Chengyu Yao, Claire White, Clare Chinnery, Clare Parfree-Mitchell, Cristina Starr, Ditte Blohm, Donna Lowson, Frances Ross, Hillary Rosen, Holly Nerreter, Isabel Young, Jane Clarke MBE, Jane Griffiths, Jay Ray, Jokou, Julie Bancroft, Julieanne Long, Karen Mead, Kate Murdoch, Kate Roznys, Kate Walters, Kauser, Lesley Brankin, Linda John, Linda Pearl Izan, Lisa Pitchford, Lydia’s Tattooed Ladies, Marcia Harding, Melanie Relf, Melissa Hill, Michelle Herbert, Montserrat, Rochelle Ikin, Rochelle Malia, Rosemary Williams, Samantha Joseph, Sarah Heenan, Shado Hart, Sheena Stone, The Courageous Women of Safer Places, and Tracy Watt.

Videos

Amy Oliver, Annie Taylor, and Lara Hailey.