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Symbolic sculpture shows door is always open

Monday, 24 March 2008

A MAJOR piece of public artwork designed to raise awareness around domestic violence has been unveiled in Ringsend.
The sculpture known as ‘The Door’ was unveiled at the Library Plaza in Ringsend on March 8.
Local sculptor, Joe Moran from East Wall, created the work after the Ringsend Action Project and Ringsend & Irishtown Domestic Violence Working Group commissioned him.
Aileen Foran, Community Development Worker with Ringsend Action Project, explained the significance of the sculpture.
"We chose the symbol of a door because it could be anyone's hall door behind which victims of domestic violence feel trapped,” she said.
“Our sculpture of 'The Door' has been left ajar deliberately to symbolise that there is always help for those suffering from domestic abuse, literally on the other side of the door.
“By leaving it open we're saying to women in our community that there's always a way out of domestic violence, that there are services in place to help and that women must not feel alone or afraid to come forward.”
Ringsend Action Project believes the need to raise awareness of domestic violence against women has never been greater. Statistics from Women's Aid reveal that between 1995 and December last year 140 women were killed in Ireland, 88 of whom died in their own home and two of whom lost their lives as recently as December 2007.
The fact that some of those deaths might have been prevented had women felt able to seek help in their communities sooner makes the message of 'The Door' all the more poignant.
"If its presence encourages even just one woman to stop and think about getting help, then it will have fulfilled an important function,” said Aileen Foran.
Carrying the inscription 'The Door is Always Open', the ajar door bears the abstract faces of women surrounded by inscriptions of fear and despair, as well as words of comfort and hope.
It is designed to act as a representation of those currently experiencing violence in the home and those who have already sought refuge.

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