A display celebrating the artistic work of the MOJO group will go on show at Perth Museum and Art Gallery from 17th October.

MOJO is a group led project, where women who have experienced domestic abuse can come together to explore what they want from life and learn new skills to enhance their opportunities in work and wellbeing.

Over a number of weeks, the group visited the museum and worked closely with Culture Perth and Kinross’s Learning Team. This partnership enabled them to draw inspiration from the museum’s extensive collections, both behind the scenes and from the current displays.

The exhibit consists of a three-dimensional tree, fallen leaves and butterflies and was created jointly by all of the women in the group. The theme Reflection, Reflecting Women came about as a result of a group tour around the museum and began with a piece of glass in the exhibition ‘Jacobite Clans’, currently on display at the museum.  The Wild and Wonderful Gallery also provided inspiration for the group, as they chose the Oak tree as being symbolic of their journey; the trees’ broad leaves fall every autumn and regrow each spring, falling but re-growing, solid and strong.  The butterflies reflect transformation and change for women.  The backdrop is symbolic of the overarching theme.

Diane Watt from Perthshire Woman’s Aid said, “The sessions at the museum have brought the group together with a focus on putting their very own exhibition together for the public to see. This has empowered the women, given a sense of purpose and boosted their confidence and self-esteem. Some have learnt new skills and/or shared or involved skills they have but not used for a while.”

The display at Perth Museum and Art Gallery will run from 17th October to 28th January 2020.