Canadian artist Rochelle Rubinstein is committed to raising awareness about domestic violence through her work. In 1995 and 1996 Rubinstein participated on the Artists’ Residency Programme at IMMA, and made a series of works printed on fabric, which she donated to refuges and shelters around Dublin, such as Womens’ Aid.
Rubinstein’s parents were refugees who set up a tailoring business in Toronto. This upbringing has influenced her work, and she employs techniques traditionally associated with women, like sewing and embroidery. In ‘Shelter, no. 30’ Rubinstein creates a striking graphic image of a young mother sheltering her child from harm. The border of the quilt is made up of symbols such as a cut-out doll’s dress, and a hand picking an olive branch.
During her residency at IMMA Rochelle also facilitated workshops with women from the Family Resource Centre, St Michael’s Estate, Inchicore. Their collaborative piece ‘Quilt’ was part of the touring exhibition addressing issues of domestic violence entitled ‘Once is Too Much’.