1 July 2023 to 10 September 2023

Large painted work featuring two intertwined hybrid female/animal/creature figures. One is laying on the ground and the other, which has wings and bare breasts sits on top of it. The works primary colours are pinks, blacks and blues, with touches of yellow an red.

Image: Del Kathryn Barton, love wants to give, 2022. © The artist.

In the arms of unconsciousness: Women, feminism and the surreal is a cross generational exhibition featuring the work of 22 significant female Australian artists whose practices explore ideas of the surreal and feminism.

Featuring newly commissioned and recent works, including some which have not yet been seen by Australian audiences, the exhibition includes paintings, ceramics, photography, sculpture, video works, drawings and collage.

Sitting within a renewed global interest in women artists and Surrealism, this ambitious exhibition explores ideas of feminism and the surreal, proposing an intrinsic between the two, particularly in contemporary Australian art practice over the decades.

The artists in this exhibition work with elements of the surreal to explore, disrupt or challenge traditional representations of the female body and provide unique perspectives on personal and political issues which resonate today.

Artists include Del Kathryn Barton, Vivienne Binns, Pat Brassington, Louisa Chircop, Lynda Draper, Freya Jobbins, Deborah Kelly, Madeleine Kelly, Juz Kitson, Honey Long & Prue Stent, Lucy O’Doherty, Jenny Orchard, Jill Orr, Patricia Piccinini, Caroline Rothwell, Julie Rrap, Marikit Santiago, Jelena Telecki, Anne Wallace, Kaylene Whiskey and Amanda Williams.

Image: In the arms of unconsciousness: Women, feminism and the surreal, installation view. Photograph by Silversalt Photography.

Image: In the arms of unconsciousness: Women, feminism and the surreal, installation view. Photograph by Silversalt Photography.

Image: In the arms of unconsciousness: Women, feminism and the surreal, installation view. Photograph by Silversalt Photography.

Image: In the arms of unconsciousness: Women, feminism and the surreal, installation view. Photograph by Silversalt Photography.

Image: In the arms of unconsciousness: Women, feminism and the surreal, installation view. Photograph by Silversalt Photography.

Image: In the arms of unconsciousness: Women, feminism and the surreal, installation view. Photograph by Silversalt Photography.

Image: In the arms of unconsciousness: Women, feminism and the surreal, installation view. Photograph by Silversalt Photography.

Image: In the arms of unconsciousness: Women, feminism and the surreal, installation view. Photograph by Silversalt Photography.

Image: In the arms of unconsciousness: Women, feminism and the surreal, installation view. Photograph by Silversalt Photography.

Image: In the arms of unconsciousness: Women, feminism and the surreal, installation view. Photograph by Silversalt Photography.

Explore the digital exhibition catalogue below. Please be advised that the catalogue contains some explicit content including adult themes and nudity.

 This exhibition was supported by Sutherland Shire Council and the NSW Government through Create NSW.