Del Kathryn Barton leads three bold female artists in Canberra portrait show
Three bold female artists explore sexuality and power through detailed paintings, sculptures and textiles.
Del Kathryn Barton, Emily Hunt and Jess Johnson open Maiden Mother Crone at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra on November 14. All three make what Barton calls fearless, maximal work.
It is densely layered with ornate detail. Barton's new pieces include an updated version of her final year school work that shocked teachers.
It shows a female figure with legs apart and leaves falling from her body. Del Kathryn Barton sees the pose as one of strong power and vulnerability.
It is not about male-gaze appeal. She has also made stick-warrior sculptures from paintbrushes and driftwood.
These are adorned with hundreds of thousands of dollars of pearls given by a pearl farmer. Hunt works as a practising witch in Berlin.
Johnson lives in Roswell, New Mexico surrounded by cats and art.
- November 14
- Opening date
- Berlin, practices witchcraft
- Emily Hunt location
- Roswell, New Mexico
- Jess Johnson location
Why it mattersThe show promises to challenge how portraiture has traditionally shown women. It also challenges what counts as acceptable female behaviour.
AustraliaAustralians interested in contemporary art get a rare chance to see the provocative work of three boldly experimental female artists at a major national gallery.
