‘singing herspace’ is a combination of historical research, music composition in residence and performance.
Working with a variety of resources Cath conducts research on women in places and spaces, and writes original songs based around their stories. The pieces aren’t necessarily biographical, rather they investigate the stories of women in place as a starting point (much as a fictional author might).
Cath is not of Aboriginal or TSI descent, so the focus is on the lives and stories of colonist and migrant women, but always with consideration to the impact colonisation has had on the local first nations people.
The musical pieces are performed at the culmination of the project, either with a local community group, professional band, or a combination of both.
This project is about connection to place and connection to community. It’s about how women participate and create community spaces. It’s also about the invisible stories of women in our history and how their contribution is marginalised in our historical culture. Cath aims to take this project to many and varied locations, creating a suite of women’s stories in song.
singing herspace St Andrews/Queenstown 2022-2023
singing herspace St Andrews/Queenstown was funded by Nillumbik Shire Council as a part of their place activation strategy. It was conducted in partnership with Queenstown Historical Society.
Cath researched women in the history of the town and created three original pieces of music; Baby Jane, Eliza and Matilda. These pieces were performed by local musicians at the church in St Andrews followed by an encore performance at Wadambuk Centre for International Women’s Day in 2023.
singing herspace Montsalvat 2025-2026
They were painters, builders, jewellers, ceramicists, weavers, singers, stone carvers,, printmakers, photographers, writers, models, cooks, entrepreneurs. above all they were women who looked for a way to live creatively on their own terms.
The women of Monstalvat project has been funded by the Victorian Women’s Public Art Program.
This exciting project is well underway with the research and consultation part of the project continuing whilst the lead artist, Amanda Grant and singing herspace’s Cath Rutten are into the the juicy part of creating the sculpture and music components. This project will be officially unveiled in February 2026. Watch this space or head to the Montsalvat website for updates
