Alison Alder, Times's up (detail), 1987, off-set lithograph, 64 x 43.4 cm, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, purchased 1987, © Redback Graphix
History
Know My Name Australian Women Artists 1900 to Now
Secondary school learning resource
Responding
- The National Gallery of Australia was established in 1967 and opened to the public in 1982. Research how women’s rights have changed over time – from the 1960s to now and in earlier periods of history, including the nineteenth-century women’s suffrage movement. The Australian Human Rights Commission provides some examples.
- Who do you think holds the greatest power and influence in our society? For example, look at the past Prime Ministers of Australia, Australia’s 50 Richest People, the past directors of the National Gallery of Australia and any other roles that you consider to be positions of power. What do you notice? In what ways might these people influence which artists we see, collect and remember?
- Watch the Tate’s video Guerrilla Girls – ‘You have to Question What You See’. The Guerrilla Girls are an anonymous group of feminist artists devoted to fighting sexism and racism within the art world. The group was formed in New York City in 1985.
As you’re watching the video, or immediately after watching, note down a few examples of:
- Strategies that you can see the Guerrilla Girls using to communicate.
- Ideas or messages that you think the Guerrilla Girls want us to remember.
- Questions that you would like to ask the Guerrilla Girls.
Ann Newmarch, Women hold up half the sky., 1978, screenprint, 91.4 x 65.1 cm, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, Gift of the artist 1988
Alison Alder, Times's up, 1987, off-set lithograph, 64 x 43.4 cm, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, purchased 1987, © Redback Graphix
