New Exhibition at Unity Theatre Explores Gender, Identity and Breaking Stereotypes Through Art

Collective Encounters, a Liverpool-based arts charity using theatre and creativity for social change, is proud to present a new exhibition titled Gender, Identity and Art: Breaking the Archetypal Mould, created by members of its Women in Action group. Launching at Unity Theatre on 7th May 2025, this thought-provoking exhibition explores the changing representations of gender, sexuality and women.

The artworks delve into traditional archetypes, such as the fool, the sage, the caregiver and the outlaw — challenging how these symbols have historically shaped societal views of behaviour and identity. Often rooted in patriarchal, heteronormative and capitalist structures, these archetypes are reimagined by the artists to celebrate diversity and foster liberation.

Through a lens of social justice, Gender, Identity and Art moves beyond the personal to the collective, addressing issues such as health, wellbeing, women’s working conditions, LGBT+ identity and class struggle. Women in Action have worked at a grassroots level to dismantle stereotypes, using creativity as a tool for empowerment and change.

The exhibition is a collaboration between Collective Encounters’ Women in Action led by fine artist and theatre maker Joanne Tremarco and with the invaluable support of Angela Penny Photography.

Joanne Tremarco, shared her excitement about the new exhibition:

“This exhibition is a dynamic celebration of creativity and solidarity. Working together to question traditional archetypes has been a powerful experience for us all. The opportunity to come together and make art is vital, now more than ever. The Women in Action artists offer new ways of seeing ourselves and our communities which reaches beyond stereotypes and helps us challenge the systems which inhibit and confine us. We are thrilled to invite audiences to experience this important and moving body of work.”

Event Details:

• Exhibition Launch: Tuesday 13th May, 5.30pm–7.30pm. Meet the artists and hear more about their work. 
• Exhibition Open: From Wednesday 7th May 2025 onwards (closing date 3rd August). 
• Venue: Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Place, Liverpool L1 9BG 

This exhibition forms part of Collective Encounters’ Radical Retrospectives: Looking back to look forward programme, celebrating and archiving 21 years of radical arts practice across the Liverpool City Region.

Trans women are and will always be welcome in our women’s groups. The same goes for non-binary, gender fluid and gender queer people who feel included by the term women.

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