MARCH 3RD MEMORIAL

EMAKUMEEN INDARRA

(permanent sculpture)

The role of women in 1976 was a crucial one. Like the large assemblies of striking workers, the women began to gather in female assemblies. They formed networks, not only supporting the causes of the factory struggles, but also sharing the little food they had in their homes. They kept up their family’s spirits to support the cause. They created the resistance box, concerns about their neighbourhoods, spread family planning, etc. but also, they protested. They went out onto the street with empty shopping bags, expressing the hunger they were experiencing and to fight for decent working conditions.

Emakumeen Indarra, is a tribute to the creation of the Assembly of Women of Araba; a homage to all the women who fought and supported the 1976 strikes. The piece of work is a metaphor for the solidarity networks they created. In addition, it records these protests made by women with their empty shopping bags, and who are barely remembered today.

To represent this, a circle of empty bags is placed in the room, clandestinely, joined by a spider’s web referring to the networks and synergies created. Bread, a central element and symbol of primary food,  ready to be shared and represents the resistance box. In this way, the piece of work represents the importance of these networks, of clandestine solidarity and recalls those protests prior to the massacre.