Procession through Walsall to celebrate strength and solidarity of local women
On Saturday 19 July, the streets of Walsall will come alive with colour, music and folklore as Birmingham-based artist Tereza Bušková leads a ceremonial procession created in collaboration with local women. The event is the final procession of Mothers Without Hands – a six-month community project that has also taken place in Folkestone, Prague and Erdington. Now, it comes to Walsall for its powerful final act before featuring as an exhibition.
The procession, starting from the square outside New Art Gallery Walsall, will feature striking costumes and performances, including two beautifully hand-decorated headdresses inspired by the ancient Alpine Perchtendanz tradition. Woodwork artist Joseph Welden has made the sculptural headpieces, which will be worn by two Czech 'mothers' accompanying Bušková’s longtime collaborator and muse, performer Zoe Simon.
Over the past few months, women in Walsall have taken part in art, craft and baking workshops at Aaina Community Hub and Caldmore Community Garden. Led by textile artist Tina Francis and material weaver Phi Evans, the sessions gave women a space to connect, create and contribute to the making of the procession.
Rooted in folklore and inspired by a Czech tradition known as Ježíškovy matičky, the Mothers Without Hands project explores themes of strength, survival, and protection. The title references The Girl Without Hands, a fairytale recorded by the Brothers Grimm that deals with themes of violence, resilience and healing.
Artist Tereza Bušková comments: “I would like to empower women who have experienced or are experiencing sexual and domestic violence. This kind of abuse, and the invisibility and stigma attached, are things that need to be talked about more. My aim with Mothers Without Hands is to offer support and a form of protection through collective making and sharing.”
The procession will be filmed as part of a new video artwork that will be shown later this year in Prague, Folkestone, Birmingham and Walsall. It will also be featured in Bušková’s upcoming solo exhibition at The New Art Gallery Walsall from 31 July to 15 November 2026.
Mothers Without Hands is funded by Arts Council England and supported in Walsall by Aaina Community Hub, Caldmore Community Garden, Walsall Council’s Community Building and Cohesion Department, and the Romanian + Community Centre. The project is curated by Nicola Baird.
Performances by: Zoe Simon, Eliška Salay Kašparová, Daniela Voráčková, Dean Karl Wellings, Jonny Graney
Singers: Karolina Wegrzyn, Georgian choir - Ensemble Bednieri
Musicians: Ann Jones - violin, and Bela Emerson - cello
