Another Big One From GoMA

Right now, our city’s two major galleries (QAG and GoMA) are brimming with exhibitions about women. While my last exhibitions post was about QAG’s Modern Women exhibition, last weekend saw the launch of GoMA’s Contemporary Australia: Women, the second in the gallery’s triennial series focusing on contemporary Australian art.

Hiromi Tango's intricately crafted work

Performance by Brown Council at the Contemporary Australia: Women exhibition at GoMA

Rebecca Baumann at the Contemporary Australia: Women exhibition at GoMA

Sally Smart at the Contemporary Australia: Women exhibition at GoMA

Natalya Hughes at the Contemporary Australia: Women exhibition at GoMA

Judith Wright at the Contemporary Australia: Women exhibition at GoMA

It’s another big one from GoMA; the exhibition spans the entire downstairs level, with spectacular discoveries at every turn. Many of the works are incredibly colourful and tactile, ranging across painting, photography and drawing, through to sculpture, installation and film works. I particularly loved the works by Natalya Hughes, Rebecca Baumann, Judith Wright, Sally Smart, Hiromi Tango and (collective) Soda_Jerk.

In conjunction with the exhibition, GoMA’s excellent Australian Cinémathèque has invited legendary film buff, Margaret Pomeranz, to curate a Women in Film program – a very special addition to the public programs around this show. And as always, GoMA’s Children’s Art Centre has staged an immersive and whimsical environment, presenting Fiona Hall’s ‘Fly Away Home’. Hall’s intricate work is a cross between a nineteenth century museum interior and a magical forest.

Despite all of the talent on display, I have to ask: why do we need an exhibition solely dedicated to women artists? While it’s certainly true that not enough attention has been paid to women in the arts, my inner feminist tells me there’s something a little off here. It’s a sad state of affairs when a special exhibition needs to be created to showcase women. I don’t know about you, but I would prefer it if women were just automatically equally represented in exhibitions alongside their male counterparts. Why are men simply called ‘artists’, while women need to be referred to as ‘women artists’?

But with my misgivings aside, I really recommend you go and see this show. The works presented in the exhibition are just so engaging, innovative and, at times, literally dazzling. They present the diversity of art currently being produced in Australia by established, mid-career and emerging artists. These artists all happen to be women. I just think this fact should not solely define the importance of their art. 

Where: GoMA | Stanley Place in South Bank
When: 21st April to 22nd July 2012
Cost: Free admission 

Nadia Buick, a PHD fashion candidate at QUT, knows a thing or two when it comes to art and style. Working as a freelance fashion curator, she is an avid wearer of vintage (just ask for her best spots about town), collects old paintings and postcards and can always find the beauty in a little clutter. Be sure to read Nadia's piece on Rebecca Baumann, the talented Perth based artist whose pieces are featured in GoMA's Contemporary Australia: Women exhibition. 

Images Credit: Nadia Buick