When Art has a Message..

Bernie Harfleet states that his artistic practice is based on what effect and motivates humans and in particular the darker and unspoken aspects of human society. His work uses a range of media including painting, sculpture and photography to examine and question.

14 Caskets

For 14, Bernie looks at the statistics of domestic violence. When he created this pieced 14 women were killed in NZ by almembe3r of their family each year.

These women’s names are briefly known to the general public before they become yet another number.

The intent he said of his work was to not only remember those whose lives had been taken, but also to draw attention to the vast number that is represented in the “negative space” of each casket.

In the year 2011 how many women and children do you think needed the help of Women’s Refuge?

13,937 women and 11,014 children.

In 2024 Women’s Refuge supported 31,803 police referrals and received 21,708 crisis line calls.