Exhibition highlights artistry of Aussie women

The creativity and skill of Australian women artists is celebrated in an exhibition on show at the USC Art Gallery from 21 March to 11 May.

The exhibition, called Women’s Work from the Collection, features works from the extensive USC art collection, and was officially opened by USC’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement) Professor Joanne Scott.

The exhibition includes works by Fiona Dempster, Johanna DeMaine, Elizabeth Duguid, Sally Gabori, Judith Kentish, Robyn Medek, Joy Roggenkamp, Katarina Vesterberg, Lilla Watson and Judy Watson.

Exhibition curator and USC Art Gallery Manager Megan Williams said the exhibition borrowed its title from the first presentation of women’s art in Australia in 1907 called Women’s Work.

“Women have been artists for centuries, yet it wasn’t until the 1960s and 1970s – alongside the wider feminist movement – that they began to gain professional recognition,” she said.

“At its heart, this exhibition is a celebration of women artists and acknowledges the dynamic and vital contribution they make to contemporary art in general and to the USC Art Collection specifically.

“It brings together a diverse range of practices including painting, ceramics, printmaking and small objects.”

The USC Art Gallery is located at USC’s Sunshine Coast Campus on Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs. It is open free to the public from 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday and closed Sundays and public holidays.

— Terry Walsh