Photography meets feminism

Flinders University City Gallery is now hosting the work of Australian women photographers from 1970s-1980s.

Photography Meets Feminism details the period of the late twentieth century when feminists utilised the highly informative medium of photography to raise awareness of critical social issues.

Likewise, photographic artists embraced feminist themes as a means to sharpen their engagement with contemporary life, all at a time when photography was only just gaining art-world respectability.

Anne Ferran, Scenes on the death of nature, scene II., 1986. Gelatin silver print, Monash Gallery of Art, City of Monash Collection, courtesy of the artist and Sutton Gallery, Melbourne.
Anne Ferran, Scenes on the death of nature, scene II., 1986. Gelatin silver print, Monash Gallery of Art, City of Monash Collection, courtesy of the artist and Sutton Gallery, Melbourne.

This productive exchange between feminism and photography fostered a range of technical innovations and critical frameworks that radically transformed the direction of visual culture in Australia.

Flinders University Art Museum has scheduled this exhibition to coincide with the inaugural Feminism Renewal Art Network (FRAN) Festival, which celebrates the enormous contributions made by women to the Australian art landscape.

Flinders University Art Museum Director, Fiona Salmon, notes that the University has long been committed to the inclusion and support of feminist thought and theory since the pioneering introduction of its Women’s Studies course in 1973.

“Through the presentation of this show we are delighted to offer a fresh angle on the history and need for women’s liberation and activism and a chance to reflect on the role of women in the past and present,” says Ms Salmon.

This exhibition features works by Micky Allan, Pat Brassington, Virginia Coventry, Sandy Edwards, Anne Ferran, Sue Ford, Christine Godden, Helen Grace, Janina Green, Fiona Hall, Ponch Hawkes, Carol Jerrems, Merryle Johnson, Ruth Maddison, Julie Rrap and Robyn Stacey.

Photography Meets Feminism is a Monash Gallery of Art travelling exhibition and is on display until Sunday 19 November 2017.

For more information go to http://artmuseum.flinders.edu.au/public-programs.

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