Women’s Health Tasmania’s ‘Knit Your Bits’

Ms WEBB – Mr President, today I rise to celebrate an incredible, unique art project and exhibition undertaken by Women’s Health Tasmania, known as Knit Your Bits.  As many members here may know, Women’s Health Tasmania is a statewide health promotion service which is run by women for women with a focus on empowering women to be informed and active decision-makers in their own health and wellbeing.

I could speak at length about the diverse programs, skilled staff and valuable work of Women’s Health Tasmania, but my focus today is something they have undertaken which is a little bit out of the ordinary, and somewhat provocatively titled project, Knit Your Bits. 

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of attending the opening of the Knit Your Bits Hobart exhibition.  This was the sixth and final iteration of the art exhibition.  It was first launched in Ross on International Women’s Day in March and has since travelled to exhibit in six locations across our state from King Island in the north, to Cygnet in the south.

The origin story of this initiative is amusing, and I offer it here for others to see whether it might tickle their fancy as well.  Apparently, after discovering that the notable MONA artwork, the Wall of Vulvas, was in fact made by men, the staff at Women’s Health Tasmania asked themselves, ‘If a woman had made this, would she have made it like that?’  They answered, ‘No.  She would have knitted her bits!’

This comical exchange led the Women’s Health Tasmania crew to consider how the diversity of the female body could be creatively expressed by women through art and craft.  From there, Women’s Health Tasmania put out the call for women to knit their bits and, to kick things off, held a series of craft workshops around the state working with local artists, crafters and community services.  What came next was nothing short of inspiring.

The women gathered not just to make craft objects, with their knitting, crocheting, felting, sewing, and embroidery – they made art that literally embodied the stories of their lives.  They were creating bits that told the stories of their fears, their triumphs, their strengths, their sadness, their complexity, and their joy.  In doing so, they also shared a space where they could talk openly and safely about their experiences as women, including their health and wellbeing.

The powerful nature of this creative effort was clear, not only in the resulting display of over 80 pieces of art, but in the way that the artists and the staff involved spoke about their experience participating in the program.

Participants shared touching remarks, such as:

Women are very good at ignoring the things that are challenging and just ploughing on, and so, having something like this makes you sit down and talk about it. 

Another one:

We chose as a group to knit a big mouth to speak up and be loud.  Sharing our stories gave us an anchor to better understand what is happening to us.

A final one:

Just like our external bits, we all look different internally too.

Mr President, I give special acknowledgement to everybody who worked tirelessly to bring about the success of this initiative.  I particularly congratulate those who joined us here today: Jo Flanagan, the CEO of Women’s Health Tasmania; Jocelyn; and Amy, Amy and Anna, who participated in the art projects.

Beyond those with us today though, there are large groups of other fantastic artists, volunteers, and staff from Women’s Health Tasmania who help make it a success.  You would be happy to hear, Mr President, that the Knit Your Bits initiative was also supported by many of our female parliamentarians, both from this place and the other place.  They collectively donated $1000 to make up the People’s Prize.  This prize will be awarded to the artwork from Knit Your Bits voted as most favourite by those who visited the exhibitions around the state; although I must say, I found it virtually impossible to choose my favourite artwork from amongst the myriad breasts, uteruses, mouths, brains, vulvas, ears, hearts, and many more.

Mr President, everybody should feel comfortable, proud, and indeed celebratory of their body.  Everybody should be able to find support and connection when they need it.  It is amazing to see how Knit Your Bits progressed from a shared joke to an ambitious idea, and culminated in a joyous endeavour that has been able to connect and empower women across Tasmania.  I look forward to future iterations of Knit Your Bits – or whatever new creative project might spring forth from another shared joke from the Women’s Health Tasmania team.

Mr President, let me conclude by mentioning that Knit Your Bits is showing until 27 August at the Moonah Arts Centre.  If you have not visited, there is still time to pop in and cast your vote for the People’s Prize.  I highly recommend getting along to see this thought-provoking, humorous, and highly moving exhibition.