Touchlines of Fortitude exhibition

Touchlines of Fortitude exhibition 1 

Curator introduction

The occasion of the 2025 Women’s World Cup has been the catalyst for this Touchlines of Fortitude exhibition, exploring rugby, art and female resilience. It has been my pleasure to work on the presentation of work by the exhibition’s three featured artists: Gina DeGagna, Agnieszka Lokaj and Tahira Mandarino.

Each artist has taken their own uniquely personal approach to exploring women’s stories of strength and empowerment to create a display with diverse and thought-provoking imagery.

Influenced by personal experiences, each one of us viewing the exhibition will have our own interpretation of the work. Please take time to explore and enjoy the works to discover your own stories within them.

Gina explores how stories are shaped. For me Gina’s depictions of woodland in Mowhawk Park evoke the enduring power and resilience of nature, helping it to thrive and survive over time. The tranquility of the woodland scenes and inherent power of the trees brings a sense of calm reassurance – or is it hope that our world will endure through nature?

By contrast Agnieszka’s work in this exhibition captures the sheer physicality of women’s rugby. These dynamic portrayals of powerful women on the pitch would not have been possible if it not been for the determination of girls and women to pursue the sport they love.

Tahira tells us that her work explores resilience as a quiet inner foundation – something we discover about ourselves when pushed to our limits. The portraits and photographs exhibited capture visible and unseen aspects of strength. Resilience is at the heart of the portraits of Beckie and Rochelle, women reclaiming their inner strength after abuse.

Explore Touchlines of Fortitude to discover your own stories of female resilience.

Lynn Szygenda

Touchlines of Fortitude exhibition 1 curator