Feminism at heart of art collection

Works by female artists in the City of Bunbury’s art collection form the latest exhibition at ArtGeo.

Making Her Mark highlights female Australian artists included in the City’s collection and showcases a range of artistic approaches.

Curated by Caroline Lunel, the exhibition was originally held at Bunbury Regional Art Galleries, but many of the pieces have been loaned to Busselton.

A range of media are on show, including paintings, sculptural installations, fabrics and textile prices, drawings, and mixed media.

Ms Lunel wrote in the exhibition brief that it was important to recognise art had been, and still was, dominated by male influences throughout Australian history.

“There is certainly a deep richness and diversity in the subject matter of the works in this exhibition,” she wrote.

“Some of these artists are strongly influenced by feminism, exploring gender issues, psychological states, questioning our social and environmental conditions and provoking the senses by the use of materials.”

ArtGeo Complex co-ordinator Dr Diana McGirr said the close collaboration between the two galleries allowed the exhibition to be held in Busselton and it was a great indication of the links between the galleries.

“We are very appreciative to BRAG and the City of Bunbury collection who have enabled us to show this collection,” she said.

Dr McGirr said the range of work by solely female artists was an interesting way of interpreting what was in the Bunbury collection and the exhibition was timely considering the pieces were hung on International Women’s Day last week.

She said female artists had historically been overlooked but progress was being made to address this.

Making Her Mark is now open at the ArtGeo Gallery and runs until April 8.