Artists announced for Contemporary Australia: Women

Arts Minister Rachel Nolan today announced the 33 artists and collectives featured in the Contemporary Australia: Women exhibition opening at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) on April 21. Ms Nolan said this second exhibition in the triennial series would celebrate Australian women artists, following the inaugural Contemporary Australia: Optimism exhibition in 2008-09.

"The Contemporary Australia series is the most extensive regular presentation of contemporary Australian art in the country," Ms Nolan said. "Contemporary Australia: Women will present new and recent work by emerging, established and senior Indigenous and non-Indigenous female artists from across the country.

"Six Queenslanders will be represented in this significant national survey: Kirsty Bruce, Sandra Selig, Hiromi Tango, Jenny Watson, Judy Watson and Judith Wright. "Other artists included are Marie Hagerty (ACT), Deborah Kelly (NSW), Gabriella and Silvana Mangano (VIC), Rose Nolan (VIC), Wakartu Cory Surprise (WA), Sally Smart (VIC), Louise Weaver (VIC) and Gosia Wlodarczak (VIC)."

Ms Nolan said the exhibition would also include the Embodied Acts project of performative works by several groups of younger generation artists; the Children's Art Centre installation Fly Away Home 2010 by Fiona Hall (SA); a film program curated by producer and critic Margaret Pomeranz; and a GOMA Talks program of evening discussions focussing on themes inspired by the exhibition.

"The exhibition will showcase both senior and younger artists from the Tjala Art Centre in South Australia's Amata community, who will contribute an extraordinary suite of large collaborative paintings. "I am also delighted to announce that AUDI will be the Principal Sponsor of this exhibition, as a way of launching the company's exciting new three-year partnership with the Gallery of Modern Art and Queensland Art Gallery."

Queensland Art Gallery Director Tony Ellwood said Contemporary Australia: Women recognised the contributions of outstanding women to contemporary cultural life. "The exhibition will celebrate the way women artists have reshaped, and continue to shape, the landscape of art in this country," he said.

"Curated by the Gallery under lead curator Julie Ewington, Curatorial Manager, Australian Art, Queensland Art Gallery, the exhibition includes more than 70 works in painting, sculpture, photography, installation, textiles, video and performance. "Contemporary Australia: Women will explore key themes such as 'performing' femininity; the place of personal and intimate spheres such as sexuality, the body, motherhood and ageing; the return to everyday materials; and the ways some artists are 'redressing the canon' of painting," Mr Ellwood said.

"The exhibition also considers aspects of art by women that directly address political and social issues. "We are very excited that Margaret Pomeranz accepted our invitation to curate the film program, which offers a wonderful opportunity to profile the work of women in Australian cinema."

"The program will focus on the portrayal of women in key Australian films with half of the program directed by women, and the other half by men." Mr Ellwood said Embodied Acts would be a range of ephemeral performances, events and actions in and around GoMA over the opening weekend, by artists Rebecca Baumann (WA), Brown Council (NSW), Jess Olivieri and Hayley Forward with Parachutes for Ladies (NSW) and Kate Mitchell (NSW).

The opening weekend will include a full program of artist talks and events, including an in-conversation hosted by Margaret Pomeranz, and featuring special guests. Contemporary Australia: Women runs until July 22 and will be accompanied by a major publication with essays on themes explored in the exhibition and on all exhibiting artists. For more information visit www.qag.qld.gov.au/women

Contemporary Australia: Women exhibiting artists:

Rebecca Baumann (WA)
Kirsty Bruce (QLD)
Lauren Brincat (NSW)
Bindi Cole (VIC)
Brown Council (NSW):
Frances Barrett
Kate Blackmore
Kelly Doley
Diana Smith
Agatha Gothe-Snape (NSW)
Marie Hagerty (NSW/ACT)
Fiona Hall (SA)
Natalya Hughes (NSW)
Ruth Hutchinson (VIC)
Deborah Kelly (NSW)
Justine Khamara (VIC)
Anastasia Klose (VIC)
Gabriella Mangano and Silvana Mangano (VIC)
Jennifer Mills (VIC)
Kate Mitchell (NSW)
Rose Nolan (VIC)
Jess Olivieri and Hayley Forward with Parachutes for Ladies (NSW):
Hayley Forward
Jess Olivieri
Therese Ritchie (NT)
Sandra Selig (QLD)
Noël Skrzypczak (VIC)
Sally Smart (VIC)
Soda_Jerk (NSW):
Danielle Angeloro
Dominique Angeloro
Wakartu Cory Surprise (WA)
Hiromi Tango (QLD)
Tjala Arts, Amata community, SA: senior painters Ruby Tjangawa Williamson, Wawiriya Burton, Tjampawa Katie Kawiny (SA)
Monika Tichacek (NSW)
Jenny Watson (QLD)
Judy Watson (QLD)
Louise Weaver (VIC)
Justene Williams (NSW)
Gosia Wlodarczak (VIC)
Judith Wright (QLD)

Permanent Link: Artists announced for Contemporary Australia: Women
Publish Date: 08 Feb 12

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