The Case of the Red Shoes

I came across an art installation in the centre of Lancaster earlier this week. I was immediately drawn to it and went over to speak to the artists involved, to find out more.

I was incredibly moved by the story behind it - each pair of shoes representing a woman who has been a victim of homicide at the hands of their partners. Such a simple concept was, to me, so profound. It made me quite sad, but I also considered the idea of giving these women a voice, through this installation, the impact of which, was huge and varied.

The installation is currently on tour globally, so I was privileged to come across it in my home city. Upon speaking with local people a few days later, I was moved by the fact that some males had expressed their concern and felt they didn’t want to be associated with domestic violence in any way, as males themselves. Whilst I can understand that, I couldn’t help but feel that, this was the point of the installation, surely? To provoke thought and opinion, and to raise awareness of this important, albeit dark, reality.

As an installation, it helped me to consider the impact a simple idea can be, perhaps more so? I will definitely be considering this within my own practice and potential future installations of my own, particularly with regards to social justice and equality.