For Tamara Sharp and her daughter Davida Melis-Sharp, 14, showing work at the 2017 South West International Women’s Day Art Prize symbolises embracing opportunities women have thanks to work done by previous generations.

Davida Melis-Sharp, the prize’s youngest entrant, entered a piece called Writer’s Block, a painted portrait of an American poet, Savannah Brown, who explores issues such as body image and stereotypes using YouTube.

“It’s not all the other stuff that girl poets say,” Davida said.

“They all say stuff that is relevant but she goes into detail about why it’s relevant and what we really need to do to learn about it, which is good for my age group.”

The high school student said her parents influenced her interest in art and expressing herself creatively.

Davida said she listened to the poet’s work as she painted and created her piece.

Ms Sharp said her mother had not been able to attend university to pursue her dream of becoming an architect because she was a woman.

“It’s important to recognise and acknowledge the enormous work that has been undertaken in the past by the feminist movement,” she said.

“Davida’s grandmother would be incredibly proud of her and her own journey that she has undertaken in exploring her own creativity and strengths.”

“I am conscious of encouraging her gifts with the understanding that many women have fought loud and hard for these rights to exist.”

The exhibition is launching this Wednesday March 8 –International Women’s Day – at The Artery gallery in Timor Street, Warrnambool from 6pm.

This year’s International Women’s Day is themed ‘be bold for change’ and is focused on improving gender equality in workplaces.

South-west celebrations include an International Women’s Day civic reception at Warrnambool Art Gallery, featuring speaker Catherine Ryan from the Bandari Project.

Lifeline Warrnambool will mark the day by conducting family violence response training for health, allied health and frontline community workers.