Shout Menopause!

GROUP ONLINE EXHIBITION

2025

Did anyone tell you about menopause?

In this two-part workshop, we explored how art can increase intergenerational knowledge transfer and promote the importance of menopause knowledge sharing.

Here is the amazing art produced in the workshop.

“Renata (shouts Menopause!)”
Acrylic on Canvas
by Kayleigh

I wish the narratives I had been exposed to growing up regarding menopause were different, too often menopause is depicted as the hysterical or angry woman. I’ve recently become more observant of the narratives I come across regarding menopause, namely the notion that menopause can be a super liberating time for women, where they come to know themselves better than ever, and can confidently articulate what they want. I came across an article that framed menopause as a “software upgrade” – I love this perspective. Reframing menopause in a positive light (without diminishing how challenging it can be for some women) feels incredibly empowering.

“Dallas”
Acrylic on Canvas
by Hannah

I really enjoyed meeting the beautiful and vivacious woman that is Dallas. We had a great (and very open) conversation around our experiences of menopause/peri-menopause as we painted each other. We found that in some ways our experiences have been extremely similar, and in other ways our experiences were totally, diametrically opposed. I think that would be something I would want to share with others: that acknowledgement that your own experience is your own experience: it's real, and it's valid.

“Hi, it's me”
Pastel on Paper
by Ryoko

I feel I am not the same now

My cycle is irregular

Sometimes hot

Ah, it's here finally

Mix of sadness and disappointment

But, doesn't this mean

I'm moving on to the next new chapter in my life, isn't it?

“Realising around 44…”
Pastel & Charcoal on Paper
by Naomi

That nearly all aspects of well-being, most aspects of your physical and mental health can all be affected from the start of Perimenopause. General confidence too. This of course can differ but is possible from your late 30’s.

Tolerance in general to challenges (and shockingly to me, alcohol and caffeine!)

I’ll be telling any women who want it need to know all the above. Too many difficult factors there that can be navigated hopefully a little easier with some fore warning.

“Gratitude”
Acrylic on Canvas
by Victoria

To Candice for gathering, nurturing, informing and provoking us. To Eleni the model, for generosity and good humour. To Eleni the portrait maker, for looking hard and celebrating what she saw. To the group, for gentleness in their truths. To myself, for listening. To all the women we know, for collective wisdom, and unimaginable ferocity in numbers.

“Hannah”
Acrylic on Canvas
by dullartist24

It was lovely to meet the group today, what a rare opportunity and a much needed one. Why do we not talk about this openly more? It's something huge we experience as women, a complete overhaul of our lives, and shouldn't be in any way uncomfortable or taboo to bring up. Let's keep the conversation going, open up ladies!

“Emotions & Stigma”
Pencil on Paper
by Eleni

I wish someone had told me more about menopause—not just the symptoms, but also the emotional impact it can have on a woman's life. I wish we could speak about it openly and more often, so we can begin to destigmatise it—and, in doing so, take a step towards destigmatising what it means to be a woman.

“Kayleigh is a mermaid!”
Acrylic on Canvas
by Renate

I wish I knew more about the menopause when I was younger. I hated my older colleagues for turning on the AC while I was freezing my fanny off in my little skirts! But maybe my own young hormonal self simply had no capacity for learning about the menopause? I thank that's the very problem: girls are in their puberty while their mothers go through the menopause - not just a recipe for relational disaster, but a huge barrier to learning.