Public Private is an art exhibition bringing together seven artists from Australia, China, Greece, Iceland and Taiwan.
The title of the exhibition “Public Private” is a connotation to feminist theories regarding the partition of the private and public spheres. The depiction of the artists’ public sphere and their private life is manifested through their artwork, ranging from mixed media to sculptures, paintings, and videos, all of which are united by a joint theme, hence, their personal expression, depiction and celebration of womanhood.
The private and public spheres demonstrate the intertwining of ideologies narrated through the artwork. Thus, how women adhere to the roles they are assigned in society, regardless of their cultural, ethnic or national background, in particular, their role as a force of reproduction. In addition, their individual and personal experiences culminate in their distinctive interpretation of womanhood commonly through the biotic depiction of the human body. The artists mirror the concept of private/public through social constructivism, social obedience and abatement of gender roles, conversely, they contest them with their socially constructed in vivo experiences demonstrating their individuality.
The works on display challenge societal norms and expectations surrounding women and their bodies, providing a raw and honest representation of the artists’ experiences. The exhibition aims to provide visitors with an inclusive and diverse experience, allowing them to connect with the artists' perspectives and gain insight into their existential experiences as women.
Curators: Aðalheiður Kristbjörg Jensdóttir, Berglind Rögnvaldsdóttir, Fía Yang, Grétar Þór Sigurðsson and Veronika Katri
Selected artwork
Chiao-Han Chueh
(Taiwanese artist resides in Germany)
Website: http://cchaaart.weebly.com/
Instagram: @chiaohan_studio
Orange Body in the Dry Heat Desert
90x75cm
Acrylic and oil on canvas
A Long Time Since We Had a Good Rain
90x75cm
Acrylic and oil on canvas
Thread
110x110x60cm, plus rope
Textile, rope, wire and cardboard paper
Untitled
60x40cm
Oil on canvas
Hildur Henrýsdóttir
(Icelandic artist resides in Germany)
Website: https://hildurhenrysdottir.com/
Instagram: @hildurhenrysdottir_art
Under My Skin
180x150cm
Acrylic, ink, silk, wool, charcoal, oil pastel on linen
Veronika Katri
(Greek-Australian artist resides in Iceland)
Website: https://www.veronikakatri.com/
Instagram: @_veronika_k_art
Mother Earth
150x110cm
Oil, oil pastel on canvas
Untitled
100x80cm
Oil, acrylic on canvas
Margrét Rut Eddudóttir
(Icelandic artist resides in Iceland)
Website: http://www.maggarut.com
Instagram: @maggaeddudottir
Inside Light
80x70cm
Dry pastels on paper
Pure Luck
50x50cm
Textiles and polymer clay
Þögn
50x50cm
Textiles and polymer clay
Berglind Rögnvaldsdóttir
(Icelandic artist resides in Iceland)
Website: https://www.berglindrognvalds.com/
Instagram: @berglindrognvalds
Untitled
Video
A Memory
60x80cm
Plexiglass Print
The pieces on display at the exhibition range from bold and unapologetic paintings exploring the complexities of sexuality and desire, in a way that is both liberating and empowering, to thought-provoking and poignant sculptures examining the impact of body image and beauty standards on women. Thus, prompting visitors to consider the ways in which women are pressured to conform to societal norms and expectations. There are also works that explore broader issues related to womanhood, including relationships, self-expression and motherhood. Moreover, the artists explore broader issues related to womanhood, including motherhood, relationships, and self-expression. The works of photography and the videos on display examine the convolution of motherhood and the ways in which it shapes and is shaped by femininity. Intriguing mixed media sculptures and paintings touch upon the relationships between women and the natural world, examining the ways in which women have been connected to Earth and its cycles throughout history.
Geysa 02
48x33cm
Plexiglass Print