Art
It is no secret that female artists have been historically under represented in the art world, and this has been particularly true for female Australian artists. However, in recent years there has been a surge of recognition for these talented women and their work. From Rosalie Gascoigne to Tracey Moffatt, the range of artwork being produced by female Australian artists is both diverse and inspiring.
This blog post dives into the lives and works of 15 prominent female Australian artists, exploring their unique approaches to art, their powerful messages and why they are deserving of recognition.
Mirka Mora is an internationally renowned artist who has contributed to the creative landscape of Australia for over five decades. Born in Paris in 1928, Mirka and her family immigrated to Melbourne, Australia in 1951. Her artwork is filled with vibrant colours, whimsical characters and powerful messages of love and hope. Mirka often depicts her own life in the works, illustrating her experiences as a Holocaust survivor and refugee. She is renowned for her large-scale paintings, sculptures and murals that can be found in public spaces throughout Melbourne. Mirka’s contribution to art is not just limited to her artwork. She is also the founder of galleries, a philanthropist, an author and a teacher.
Margaret Olley is one of Australia’s most beloved artists, known for her vibrant and often whimsical still-life paintings. Born in Lismore in 1923, Olley was a self-taught artist who gained inspiration from her childhood memories and trips around the world. Her paintings feature a variety of textures and colours, often with a hint of humour and whimsy. Olley’s work is renowned for its ability to capture both the beauty and the everyday of life.
In 2014, the Tweed Regional Gallery in Murwillumbah, NSW opened the Margaret Olley Art Centre to celebrate the career, life and legacy of its namesake. Australia’s most celebrated painter of still life and interiors.
Del Kathryn Barton is an internationally acclaimed visual artist and portrait painter. Born in Sydney in 1972, she has become renowned for her vibrant and often whimsical paintings that showcase the beauty of everyday moments. Her works are filled with bold colours, intricate details and a unique blend of realism and surrealism. Del is known for her series of portraits of influential women, including the internationally acclaimed series ‘Heroines’. She has won numerous awards throughout her career, such as the Archibald Prize in 2008
Earth’s Creation by Emily Kame Kngwarreye
Emily Kame Kngwarreye was an Aboriginal artist from Central Australia who is renowned for her vibrant large scale artworks. Born in 1910 in Alhalkere, Emily’s paintings often feature patterns and symbols that have been passed down through generations of Aboriginal peoples. She is celebrated for her use of vibrant colours and bold brushstrokes to create dynamic, images. Emily Kame Kngwarreye’s art is celebrated for its ability to capture the beauty of her culture and heritage.
Patricia Piccinini is an Australian artist renowned for her unique sculptures and multimedia works. Born in 1965, she has become celebrated for creating a variety of strange creatures that blur the boundaries between animal and human. Her works often explore themes of technology, nature and our relationship with science. Patricia’s work can be found in galleries around the world, such as the MoMA in New York and the National Gallery of Australia. Patricia Piccinini’s art is celebrated for its ability to challenge our perceptions of nature and technology.
Land of All by Sally Gabori
Sally Gabori was an Aboriginal artist from Saturday Island, Australia. Born in 1924. Sally’s works often feature bold colours and intricate patterns that have been passed down through generations of Aboriginal people. Sally Gabori’s art is celebrated for its ability to capture the beauty of her culture and heritage.
Fiona Hall is an Australian artist renowned for her installations and multimedia works. Born in 1953, she has become celebrated for creating a variety of sculptures and installations that explore themes such as war, the environment, and history. Fiona Hall’s art is celebrated for its ability to challenge our perceptions of history and culture.
Sally Smart is an Australian artist renowned for her installations and multimedia collage works. Born in 1959, she is celebrated for creating a variety of sculptures and installations that explore themes such as identity, gender, and the natural world. Sally Smart’s art is celebrated for its ability to challenge our perceptions of identity and gender. Sally Smart’s collage works are particularly notable, as they combine a variety of different media and materials to create intricate and complex scenes. Her works often explore themes of identity, gender and the environment, creating a dialogue between seemingly disparate elements.
Something More #1 by Tracey Moffatt
Tracey Moffatt is an Aboriginal artist from Brisbane. Born in 1960, she has become celebrated for her photography and film works that explore themes such as gender, identity, and colonialism. Tracey Moffatt’s art is celebrated for its ability to challenge our perceptions of gender and identity, and continues to inspire viewers around the world. Her photography works are particularly renowned, often capturing intimate and candid moments of everyday life. Through her art, Tracey is able to explore the complexities of race, gender and identity in a thought-provoking way.
Girl by Joy Hester
Joy Hester was an Australian artist and member of the Melbourne modern art movement. Born in 1920, she is celebrated for her evocative drawings and paintings which explored themes such as love, death and spirituality. Joy Hester’s art is celebrated for its ability to capture moments of emotion and beauty. Her drawings are particularly renowned, often showcasing an exquisite level of detail and beauty.
Overstepping by Julie Rrap
Julie Rrap is an Australian artist from Brisbane who has become celebrated for her artworks that explore themes such as gender, identity and social issues. Julie is highly regarded for her ability to challenge preconceived notions and create dialogue around important social issues through her art. Her works often incorporate a variety of media, from photography to street art, and have been exhibited in galleries around the world. Through her art, Julie is able to explore the complexities of gender, identity and social issues in a thought-provoking way.. Her art is celebrated for its raw intensity, powerful symbolism and creative use of media, making her a much sought-after artist.
Hiromi Tango is a Japanese Australian textile artist who has become celebrated for her intricate and vibrant Textile works of art. Hiromi’s works are celebrated for her ability to capture moments of emotion and beauty through the use of textiles. Her artworks often incorporate a variety of media, from silk fabrics to cotton threads. Through her art, Hiromi is able to explore the complexities of identity, race and culture in a thought-provoking way. Hiromi’s combination of pattern, texture and colour which create an entrancing visual experience.
Metropolis, 1999 by Rosalie Gascoigne
Rosalie Gascoigne is an Australian artist who has become celebrated for her pioneering use of found objects. Her works often incorporate everyday items such as road signs, license plates and newspaper clippings to create unique artworks. Rosalie’s works are widely appreciated for their ability to capture moments of emotion and beauty through the juxtaposition of natural and man-made objects. Her artwork often explores themes such as memory, nostalgia and identity in a thought-provoking way.
The window by Grace Cossington Smith
Grace Cossington Smith is an Australian artist who has become celebrated for her vibrant landscape paintings. Grace had a long career as a modernist painter and was part of the Heidelberg School movement which sought to capture the beauty of everyday life in Australia’s rural towns. Grace’s paintings are widely appreciated for their ability to capture light, space and movement in an entrancing way.
Janet Laurence is an Australian artist celebrated for her site-specific installations. Her work often incorporates everyday items such as plants, stones and found objects exploring themes such as memory, nostalgia and identity in a thought-provoking way. Janet is able to capture moments of emotion and beauty through the juxtaposition of natural and man-made objects.
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Banner image: Artist Hiromi Tango | Photo by Saul Steed
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