Ordinary people who did something extraordinary

Owner from Curtain Clean BOP Ltd

Sufferage in Stiches

An outstanding exhibition honouring our whakapapa, history and the power of New Zealanders brought to you by Wellington Museum and Vinnies Re Sew.

Suffrage in Stitches is a unique exhibition, providing the opportunity for 546 individuals, families and groups to hang their art in a gallery space regardless of their education, background or experience. The makers include a few leading figures from the art/recycling community however the majority of makers are ordinary people who come from diverse cultural/ethnic backgrounds, ages, generations and skills levels.

The 300 metre textile work remembers ordinary people in our history who did an extraordinary thing — signed a petition up and down the country so women could achieve the right to vote, as well as woman who’ve influenced the 546 makers.

It started as a collective exhibition and has emerged as a sharing of history, connection of people and an amazing feeling of togetherness.

The work matches the length of the original petition and consists of 546 individually designed fabric panels – the same number of pages in the original petition – and tells the stories of 546 women.

Makers have discovered a love of history and a renewed appreciation for those who went before them. They have made new friends, learnt new craft and recycling skills, and developed a deeper sense of belonging to New Zealand.

So many stories have surfaced – intrigue, poverty, hope, crime, resilience. On this website you’ll be able to explore unique stories of the women who signed the 1893 Suffrage Petition.
Exhibition open from December 2019 and runs through the to 27th of April 2020. 10am–5pm daily.

Wellington Museum - 3 Jervois Quay, Queens Wharf, Wellington

See the works here: www.suffrageinstitches.nz......