Carving representing freedom of abuse to support Medicine Hat women's shelter. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

By Jayk Sterkenburg

IN THE COMMUNITY

Chainsaw carving symbolizing freedom from abuse to support Medicine Hat women’s shelter

Mar 4, 2025 | 9:37 AM

Chainsaw carver Marina Cole has sculpted a figure that symbolizes gaining strength to break the chains that hold one in an abusive situation, that will support the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society.

The piece will go on auction at the Bread and Roses Gala on Saturday, that is intended to support the shelter’s programs and services — but also to help grow hope in the community for a future free of domestic abuse.

The figure symbolizes gaining strength to break the chains that hold one in an abusive situation. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

Cole, owner of Chainsaw Spirit in Irvine, said that she likes to get a lot of expression out of her pieces to tell a story.

“It represents a time in their life when they finally have gotten to a point where they said, ‘This isn’t right, this is wrong,'” she said.

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“They may not feel whole, they don’t feel like themselves, they realize that they lost themselves in the relationship,” she added.

“Yet they still have that strength to finally break that chain that’s been holding them down and tearing them apart, and that’s what I wanted it to symbolize.”

Cole said that the chain on the sculpture symbolizes all of the different types of abuse that can happen to someone.

She said this can include coercive control, narcissistic, emotional, mental, physical, sexual, or financial abuse.

“That chain is all the different types of abuse that could have happened to them,” said Cole. Kevin Kyle/CHAT News

UN Women, an entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, says that one woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes by their intimate partner or family member.

Globally, 85,000 women and girls were killed intentionally in 2023.

60 per cent of cases were homicides, with 51,100 being committed by an intimate partner or a family member.

Cole said that what inspired her is people and families she knows who have gone through abuse.

She wanted to do something that would speak to a lot of people, and that would also bring the difficult subject to the forefront.

She said that the conversation it has created has made her and others involved aware of how many are affected by abuse, as not only women but men can be victims as well.

Cole said that help is out there for those who need it.

“I think people have to look at themselves and ask themselves a really important question, and that’s, ‘Would I ever treat somebody like this?’” she said.

“Once you get to the point where you can, you’re going to ask yourself that, and you’re going to say, ‘No, I would never be able to treat a person that I love like this.'” she added.

“I think that is so important, and the fact that it’s never too late. Your heart’s beating. You can still get out. There are safe places to go, and you deserve love.”

The gala to support the Women’s Shelter will take place Saturday, March 8 at the Medicine Hat Lodge.

The shelter says that it’s committed to all individuals living free from violence and abuse.