A Sisterhood Laced in Glitter and Gold

A Sisterhood Laced in Glitter and Gold is a debut group exhibition at HOME, by Home from HOME Gorton Women’s Group.

Since Sep 2023, these wonderful women living in the community in Gorton have been coming together and making art every other Thursday in their local community centre, Gorton Central.

Bringing their hopes, memories, differences, and talents to share, the women have created a space that is a supportive, creative, and a relaxing environment to make art. Led by Home from HOME artists Phoebe Foxtrot and Pavia Ward, everyone is welcome to come along, enjoy a natter and a brew, and have a go at exploring their own creativity through art making.

This exhibition is a layered and intimate portrayal of the women’s creative process over the course of the past year of meeting and making. Within each artwork, a woman holds an autobiographical house sculpture, intricately handcrafted by her as a symbolic representation of her own identity, encasing elements of her inner self within her dwelling. The Sisterhood is affectionately hand drawn by Phoebe Foxtrot and weaved with fragments of Home Is Where the HeART Is, a poem by Pavia Ward. The title also references a line from Home Is Where the HeART Is, highlighting the deep connection between artistic expression and belonging.

A Sisterhood Laced in Glitter and Gold follows recent exhibition Home is Where Our Art Is at Gorton Central. Many individual and collective artworks that have been made since the group was born – a special mention for cherished community touring artwork the Chat-tea Trolley!

A Participant from Home from HOME Gorton Women’s Group said: “When I come to this group on a Thursday, I get 2 hours where I feel I can be myself. Even though we’ve all got problems, I can come here, there’s so much support. Even when I feel like I haven’t got time to come, I think; no, this is a priority for my mental health.”

Louise Harney, Head of Creative Development at HOME said: “We’re so proud of all the courageous and creative women who take part in Home from HOME. They’ve built an inclusive network of support, and co-created work that shares their stories and celebrates their strength and resilience. It is a priority for HOME to develop opportunities for people to experience art and culture within their community, building friendships and creatively amplifying voices. A huge thank you to our Home from HOME Sisterhood and the wonderful artists who make this happen.”Home from HOME’ strives to authentically co-create work with communities across Manchester, creatively celebrating local people, places, and culture. This long-term creative engagement programme delivers women’s groups and youth groups in Hulme, Moss Side, Gorton, and Wythenshawe and aims to amplify unheard voices, promote health and wellbeing, reduce isolation, and increase access to the arts.