Help me get to the Association for Women and Mythology Biennial Conference in New Mexico March 2020. I have written an unconventional picture book/research paper and I have submitted a proposal to deliver a presentation at the conference this year in March! I am raising funds to support me to travel from Melbourne Australia to Albuquerque New Mexixo USA to deliver the presentation and to be part of this amazing conference. 

The story of the Goddess Dandelion, a strong woman transformed into a goddess protecting the environment, is an ‘ecofemnumyth’. An ecofemnumyth is a term I have created to describe the stories and visual artwork that I create from an ecofeminist perspective. Ecofeminism is a branch of feminism that speaks to the way that both women and the environment are exploited and commodified. It proposes interventions that counter this exploitation, empowering women whilst supporting the environment.  This research paper will be presented through an artist’s lens to open a discussion on new paths for the fields of Women’s Spirituality and Goddess Studies and environmental activism through storytelling in the visual arts. Emerging from a picture book, which tells the story of the Goddess Dandelion transforming leaf blowers into beautiful birds, the research examines the symbolic, mythological and historical references found in the story. Elements of the story will also be discussed in reference to the way women have been represented in art history. The paper proposes to show how our stories (myths) have been corrupted and adapted to suit a patriarchal world view. Reclaiming the divine feminine and in particular the important role of the crone/hag and aspects of ritual, like drumming, this art project creates a new myth for new world problems. 

I am an Australian visual artist. In 2019 I gained a BFA with Honours from the Victorian College of the Arts. I creates new myths using an ‘ecofeminist’ approach and work across sculpture, photography and video to tell stories of the divine feminine and her healing powers. I have won and been a finalist in many art prizes and  has exhibited in numerous group shows including at the Ian Potter Museum of Art. Website: www.ceardaidemelza.com.au Email: [email protected] Instagram: @ceardai

Travelling from Australia to New Mexico will cost approximately $2500. Accomodation and attendance at the conference will cost around $1000. I am hoping that people interested in visual art, feminism, environmental activism through art, goddess researchers and enthusiasts will help to meet some of these costs.