Artist's Statement - Colonial Women

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The nature of this exhibition seeks to declare colonialism as a reference point in the construct of social gender roles in New Zealand. Were women seeking to escape the social constructs of the old world and seek a new beginning, or were women compelled to journey because of economic pressures? Doug first became interested in this notion through the study of feminist labour relations at Victoria University's History Department back in 1996.

Each story told by colonial women negates the adoption of a generalised pigeonholing of an answer. The use of the miniature in this exhibition is a means of exploration and illustration of this. In some of the works, a figure stands as a possible apparition of Mary (of Jesus fame), acknowledging the sacrifices made. Each journey was unique and therefore had its own intrinsic value.

The works recognise the personalised journey and story each colonial woman undertook. Colonial Women also celebrates the universal nature of individual experience and stories we all have to tell in life, which make us all unique.

Douglas Crane, May 2003