The Red Queen

This painting considers the high expectations we place on women, particularly those in public office who are continually scrutinized for how they look and act. She must be attractive but not sexy, friendly but not available; strong but not aggressive, all at once. It’s a fine line to walk and the standard to which women are held, is much higher than that of their male counterparts. This queen walks that fine line with her head held high. Her hands form the shape of a heart and their position makes reference to her sex, for which she is harshly judged.
The pattern of her dress is created through the cotton fabric which is collaged onto the canvas. The use of fabric provides a link to tasks that were traditionally the responsibility of women, such as dressmaking and sewing. The patterned background wraps around the edges of the canvas.

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I'm a Melbourne artist making art about people, identity and relationships. I draw on my experience as a woman and a mother, and as a result, most of my work is about womanhood. I am a passionate advocate of women’s issues and gender equality.

I have an interest in patterns and lines and include them in nearly all my work. My attraction to patterns comes from my love of order (I'm also an accountant), but I mostly like the flat, decorative element it adds. Sometimes the material inspires the subject, but more often than not, I seek out a particular look, colour or pattern to go with the concept I have in mind. Including patterns is a way of adding another dimension to the work.

In 2020, I won the Unearthed Prize by Art to Art gallery in Balwyn. I've been exhibiting since 2012, when I held my first solo show. Prizes for which I have been shortlisted include the 2025 Omnia Prize, 2019 Footscray Art Prize, the 2018 Contemporary Art Prize, the 2016 Hornsby Prize, the 2016 She competition, the Lethbridge 10000 Small-Scale Art Prize, the 2013 Agendo Award and the 2011 Metro Award.  Early in my career, I won the 2013 Yen magazine Female Artist award and won 2 prizes at the Albert Park College Art Show. My artwork is in private collections worldwide and is part of the Standard Chartered Bank art collection, Albert Park College public collection, and the Image Mundi project.