About the project

RONDUIT UITGESPROKEN is a project by artist Marieke Warmelink to literally make women more visible through art. After all, visibility ensures recognition and acknowledgment of the existence of women and the role they play in our society. A role that is still unequal in the Netherlands.

The project eventually leads to 22 painted portraits of women, 22 'hidden women's stories', an exhibition, a presentation on International Women's Day, lectures, film meetings and a Mastermind.

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Nominations

Are you or do you know a woman with a special story that should no longer be hidden? Nominate her!

For this project Marieke chose 22 women from the province of Noord-Holland (above the North Sea Canal) who, through the position they occupy (or occupied), contribute to positive change in society.

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Think of a woman with an unusual or (for that time) progressive profession, a remarkable life course, unique way of life, dedicated effort or because she 'sticks/sticks their head above the ground'. But a woman who is indispensable in society with a "normal" life is also worth a nomination.

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When she is representative for Ronduit Uitgesproken, Marieke paints her portrait and conducts an interview in order to arrive at the special 'hidden women's story'. This story is shown as a caption with the portrait.

Background

That there is gender equality in the Netherlands is an illusion. The Netherlands is in 31st position on the global gender equality index and is therefore by no means a frontrunner.

Here too, women are still unequal to men in many areas. The pay for work is not equal and women participate less in the labor market, because the division of care tasks is also not yet in balance. Traditional and stereotypical ideas about social division of roles still set the standard.

The fact that women are only 24% portrayed by the media worldwide compared to men, contributes negatively to this. And when women are shown, the emphasis is often on old gender roles.

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“With my project I want to represent and encourage women to close the gap and reverse stigmas. By emphasizing positive imagery in which women are portrayed in strength and vulnerability. In this way I also want to inspire other women to make themselves more visible and to support them, because the more women (dare to) take the lead, the more they participate in making important decisions. I am convinced that this will change the world in a positive way and that men will also benefit greatly from it. At the same time, I hope to create greater awareness of our own (pre)judgments towards women that we still seem to have as a person and as a society.” - Marieke Warmelink

Painted Portrait

Marieke paints a portrait of each of the 22 women. Painting is like an act; a way of (still) showing respect for the person and thereby acknowledging them in full.

Painting is an important process, in which every woman comes into her own and a way is sought to show both strength and vulnerability.

Posters

Once the paintings are ready, posters are designed. The poster features a condensed version of the story and the painted portrait.

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The posters are offered in Castricum to institutions, shops and other public places to stick on their windows, visible to the public, so that a public exhibition is created.

Residents of the region and other interested parties can also bring poster(s) to stick behind the window at home, visible to the outside world.

In this way, residents and entrepreneurs themselves are part of a larger whole and contribute in an accessible way to the visibility and position of women in and from their region.

Example poster 'Orsine", Exhibited at Forum of the United Nations Regional Review Meeting in Beijing+25 (Beijing Platform for Action) in Genèva in 2019

Exhibition

In August 2022, the original paintings will be exhibited in (region) Castricum. At the public opening, the 22 women are invited as guests of honour, with room for connection and meeting.

In September, the 22 'posters' will be exhibited in large format and are placed in the room as one installation. Each banner is printed with an image of a woman's portrait, including the special story.

International women's day

On March 8, 2022, International Women's Day, the 22 'hidden women's stories' will be presented via radio, newspaper and social media.

These are interviews with the women themselves or, if she cannot attend, with the person who nominated the woman.

In this way the stories are made known, women themselves are put in the spotlight and the importance of International Women's Day is emphasized.

The stories serve as an example or inspiration for listeners and specifically for women to put themselves more in the foreground and to share their knowledge.

Lectures, film, mastermind

In August and September 2022, Marieke will organize two informative lectures on the theme of 'art and women's emancipation', in line with the exhibition.

There will also be a film meeting and Marieke will give a special Mastermind; a painting course that gives the opportunity to teach women how to paint a self-portrait in order to develop artistically and to develop a positive self-image.

Would you like to help make this project visible?

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We are happy to work with organizations that want to promote the visibility of women and genderequality.

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Women INC ; "The media have an important role in increasing and decreasing opportunities. It is time for inclusive media, in which everyone is heard and seen and in which stereotypical imagery does not limit the opportunities of certain groups. Women are still underrepresented in Dutch news media. ”

Women INC (founded in 2005) is an interest group that accelerates emancipation in the Netherlands

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Women INC ; "The media have an important role in increasing and decreasing opportunities. It is time for inclusive media, in which everyone is heard and seen and in which stereotypical imagery does not limit the opportunities of certain groups. Women are still underrepresented in Dutch news media. ”

Women INC (founded in 2005) is an interest group that accelerates emancipation in the Netherlands

Ronduit Uitgesproken is part of the platform 'Women with a Voice'. The platform that promotes the interest of women and gender equality through art.

From 'Women with a voice' Marieke organizes activities to raise awareness of gender equality worldwide.

She organizes projects, lectures, workshops, presentations, film screenings, (educational) workshops and coaching.

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With Ronduit Uitgesproken, Marieke wants to encourage action locally that leads to change. Placing a poster, making a nomination and visiting the exhibition are symbolic actions that can lead to change in reality.

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“It is important that we make women visible, share stories, understand the role women play, their talents, their importance. It has become my mission to raise my voice to honour women in the world through art.” - Marieke Warmelink

Women with a Voice

Become a Sponsor

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As an organisation, person or institution you can sponsor this project by commission. You are then assured that your portrait, with the accompanying story, is part of the exhibition.

Of course, the painting is yours after the exhibition.

With the contributions of the sponsors, the women's stories can be recorded, documented and a publication can be published. Of course, all sponsors are mentioned in public media related to this project.

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What is genderequality?

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Gender inequality is a form of discrimination that affects the realization of human rights. It hinders women's development and participation in society on an equal footing.

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read more about gender equality