Lisa Fehily has recently launched Finkelstein Gallery, representing established and emerging women artists. Having opened in September with a group show, in October a solo-exhibition ‘Primary Instincts’ by Coady will be on view.
Noting a global and national shift toward recognising the critical contribution women make to the arts, from the National Museum for Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C., inviting their audience to support their campaign ‘Name Five Women Artists’ – since 2016, to the National Gallery of Australia’s new #KnowMyName project Fehily felt compelled to act, ‘Time is right to open this gallery’ she said. ‘After working with artists for many years, I have been witness to female artists being overlooked, not being put forward for important exhibitions, institutions predominantly considering male artists for collections and many other such issues facing female artists. The understanding of being female and the challenges of family and the home, also bring a depth to a female artist’s work that is not completely explored or appreciated.’
Coady, Happy Pack, 2019, acrylic and mixed media, 125 x 95 x 10cm. Courtesy the artist and Finkelstein Gallery, Melbourne
The contemporary art initiative will hold exhibitions as well as offer a stockroom of works from the likes of Cigdem Aydemir, Lisa Roet, Louise Paramour, Monika Behrens, Kate Rohde, Kate Baker, Deborah Kelly, Coady and international artists Kim Lieberman and Sonal Kontaria. Fehily explained ‘I hope that I can contribute a balanced and considered view on equality and women in the arts, and considering we are but a small drop in the ocean of change, I hope that my example will lead to other developments and achievements in the industry.’
