‘I’m sorry this is still happening’: Artist marks White Ribbon Day with new series of portraits
‘THESE SORRYS ARE DIFFERENT’: One of the new portraits by Annabel McCourt
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
An artist is marking White Ribbon Day by releasing a series of portraits highlighting issues surrounding male violence against women and girls.
Inspired by her I’m Sorry exhibition – on show now at Humber Street Gallery – artist Annabel McCourt has released the new images in partnership with campaign group Say Her Name (Hull) to coincide with White Ribbon Day on Monday, November 25.
McCourt said: “For me this was a delicate balance of ensuring that the work didn’t fuel the odious victim-shaming culture synonymous with social media, lazy ‘woke slurs’ and just the general hatred directed at women who have been through more pain than is possible to imagine… this wasn’t a personal apology; this was an institutional reckoning, a global movement.”
In the portraits, participants hold a bespoke neon “I’m Sorry” sign written in the artist’s handwriting. Each person is captured offering their own private apology to the camera. For McCourt, the glow of electrified neon gas reacts uniquely with each personality as they offer their “I’m Sorry”. The neon is an evocative metaphor for these authentic moments McCourt has captured: fragile, captivating and powerful, Say Her Name (Hull) said.
McCourt added: “I’m Sorry is an anonymous safe space to unburden yourself. But these sorrys are different. They look at the bigger picture. ‘I’m Sorry’ the world thinks I need to apologise. ‘I’m Sorry’ you don’t care. ‘I’m Sorry’ you’re so inadequate at dealing with this. Basically, ‘I’m Sorry’ I still have to protest this s**t… but I’m not sorry that I do. It’s all there, in the eyes.”
Vicky Foster, co-organiser of Say Her Name (Hull), said: “We’re sorry that people still look the other way. We’re sorry that they’re still not listening. We’re sorry if you’d prefer us to just shut up about violence against women and girls, because we can’t and we won’t, and we will never apologise for that.
“This week, we raise our voices louder than ever, sharing statistics and information, along with people who are working for change, before we march together on Saturday, November 30 at 11am from Humber Street Gallery in Hull, then join together to hold vigil and say the names of all women lost to male violence since our last meeting.”
The campaign was further boosted today with the announcement that RSPCA Hull & East Riding has become a White Ribbon supporter organisation.
The charity has pledged to actively raise awareness, support education initiatives, and promote positive social change.
Fred Owen, RSPCA Hull & East Riding CEO and White Ribbon ambassador, said: “We are proud to partner with the White Ribbon campaign and take a stand against domestic abuse. The link between animal cruelty and domestic violence is deeply concerning, and we are committed to addressing these issues.
“Through this partnership, we aim to create a safer community for both people and animals, raising awareness and promoting change.”
On Saturday, the first East Yorkshire Girl Guides who completed age-appropriate activities on the issue were presented with White Ribbon badges. Humberside Scouts became the first scouting organisation in the world to join the White Ribbon campaign in 2022.