REBECCA HAWKINS

“Tap Dance” celebrates the freedom and release that easy access to water gives the women and girls in rural India and Nepal. The older women I spoke to on my trip shadowing Frank Waters ‘s work were so relieved and delighted that the younger generations would not suffer the physical hardships that they endured carrying water for miles and hours a day. Hooray for Frank Waters life changing work!

“A better view” talks about the freedom that Frank Waters works gives girls and women in the communities they work in. Thanks to pumps and water systems installed by their work, women and girls are saved from walking with heavy water pots on their heads for hours a day to feed, wash and cook with, the girls can now go to school, and women are freer to learn or earn extra income for their families which survive on very little. On world water day its worth remembering how lucky we are to have water a mere step away with the twist of a tap, when so many across the world are struggling to find any at all.

“Reflections on water “ speaks of the difference in life for a village woman after Frank Waters work. Limited Edition 1 of 9

“The Educational Edge” celebrates the power of education in Frank Waters work. Anyone who has travelled to India and Nepal knows that the women in communities like the one in Madhya Pradesh that inspired this piece are hard as nails , and the 22 year old chief of this village was no exception. Reena like all women typical of these rural villages was pure poise, elegance, and understated ferocity - its easy to see why she earned the respect of her village. With their tenacity and humour, these women totally inspire me every day to, frankly, “try harder, and “do better”!

When I visited with Frank Water to see the effects of their work 18 months ago I was so struck by how charged up and excited the women were about the work that Frank Water is doing through their partner organisation here called PSI (People’s Science Institute). Education has been a core part of their work here, and has literally given this community such power to make so many changes. Education about Chlorosis, safe water and sanitation has improved the health of the community hugely, and women are learning how to lead and ask government for the changes they want to see, and then implement them. Girls and women dont have to walk miles for water, so they can go to school, and use the time for an extra income, and they even have some loos. There are downsides too though - when I asked if there were any negatives to the changes that they have seen, the common dinominator was that no-one liked cleaning the loos!

It is still a tricky balance though... This sculpture nods to the influence of technological change taking place in these rural communities - Reena had her mobile firmly in hand (and so in the sculpture too) and it is interesting to see the juxtaposition of traditional rural life next to the faster pace that technology brings.

This is the 1st edition of 9 and 50% of the profit will go to support Frank Waters incredible work. Please get in touch if you would like to own it!

“The Crooked spine” talks of the toil involved in collecting water for communities that have not yet had the benefit of Frank Waters work. This piece is inspired by the strength of women and girls who carry water daily, and is a reminder of why Frank waters work in rural India and Nepal is so vital. Having seen first hand, the impact of their projects when I shadowed them in India, the terrain that they have to navigate in order to collect water to cover basic needs like cooking and drinking, is often long and tricky. I tried to lift one of the pots without water, and I cant imagine carrying them when they are full. An elderly lady I spoke to said that she is relieved that her daughter in law will not have to go through what she had to. She remembers the headaches and her hair being worn away The time taken to collect water 2 - 3 times a day deprives girls of an education and women of the opportunity of a much needed secondary income. Before Frank waters work with their Indian partner, the People’s Science Institute, villagers were drinking water that was high in chloride because the government bore wells had been dug too far down into the rocks. This had horrific effect on a communities bone density, destroying teeth, crumbling spines, and in some cases rendering the bones of toddlers so full of holes that they bowed under the young childs weight. These communities felt that they were damned. Thanks to the support of Frank water, they know differently now. Safe water pumps have been installed, meaning they dont have so far to walk for water. Some villages now have taps in their houses, but the main plus is that they know and understand that the water they are using is safe and they dont have to walk hours for it.

This sculpture has been created as part of the Frank Water Collaboration Collection " Water Carriers". 50% of the profit of each piece will go to support their work in rural India and Nepal.

£4620

The Sculpture has been created as part of the Frank Water Collaboration Collection. 50% of the profit of each piece will go towards supporting their work.

This sculpture has been created as part of the Frank Water Collaboration Collection. 50% of the profit of each peace will go towards their work.

This piece is created as part of the Frank Water Collaboration Collection. “Weight of the world” is inspired by women who carry water every day for their families and communities. It depicts a strong woman, striding out, purposefully, carrying an enormous pot on her head. The responibility for collecting and managing water falls heavily on the shoulders of women and girls in these communities. Like all of us, they are reliant on water but unlike us, it is not just available from a near reach to a tap. This piece reminds us how lucky we are to have such a precious resource so easily available and celebrates the strength of women and girls over the world who are not so fortunate.


50% of the profit of each piece will go to support their work.

Limited Edition 1/9