16 Artists Donate #SignalforHelp Artwork to Help Fight Gender-Based Violence

The Canadian Women’s Foundation has launched the Signal for Help 'Art Share' to bring awareness to the ongoing risk of increased gender-based violence during the pandemic, as shelters and women’s organisations around the world continue to sound the alarm. Developed in collaboration with global Toronto-based creative agency, Juniper Park\TBWA, the Signal for Help is a single-handed gesture designed to provide individuals who are experiencing violence a method to discreetly communicate over a video call that they need help and would like someone to check in safely with them.

Since the launch of the Signal for Help in April 2020, the tool has been shared broadly worldwide: in Canada, 33% say they have seen ads or info about the signal and 6% report seeing it used or using it directly. At the same time, a recent survey by the Canadian Women’s Foundation revealed that 71% of people in Canada are concerned that women are at higher risk of experiencing violence due to home isolation.

Coinciding with National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, artists across Canada are putting their own spin on art to share the Signal for Help. Their unique works will be shared on social media, encouraging everyone to repost on their social channel, tag five friends, and raise awareness about gender-based violence.

“It’s clear that most people in Canada care about the issue of gender-based violence in the pandemic,” said Paulette Senior, president and CEO of Canadian Women’s Foundation. “With the onset of a second wave, we want everyone who sees the signal to know how to safely respond. This ‘Art Share’ initiative is an easy way for people to raise awareness about the signal using the digital tools many of us use every day to stay in touch with colleagues and loved ones.”

The following artists kindly volunteered and donated their time and skill to create unique artistic interpretations of the Signal for Help:

- Saffron Francis (@saffron_francis)

- Carissa Potter Carlson (@peopleiveloved)

- Fathima Mohiuddin (@fatspatrol)

- Ruth Saparito (@inbetweenrinks)

- Alanna Cavanagh (@alanna_cavanagh)

- Sarah Rotenberg (@sarahrotenberg)

- Jacqueline Veltri (@jvel22, @elainefleckgallery)

- Carmen Jane Lew (@carmenjanelew)

- Ebrin Bagher (@ebrin.bagher)

- Madison van Rijn (@mvralldayeveryday)

- Angela Schneider (@angela.artattack)

- Lindsay Chambers (@lindsaychamberspainting)

- Dani Cooperman (@danicooperman)

- Yaw Tony (@yawtony)

- Steph Cheng (@iamstephcheng)

- Joanna Czub (@asiaczub, @elainefleckgallery)

- Jacki Lang - Curator (@jl.art.sourcing)

View artwork from the 'Art Share' by visiting the Canadian Women’s Foundation Instagram page, where work from participating artists will be shared throughout the coming weeks for users to share on.

Click here to learn more about what you can do if you see someone use the signal, or to download and share the signal. The Canadian Women’s Foundation is also encouraging artists who are interested in submitting art for inclusion in the 'Art Share' to reach out to them via email here for more details.