Gotham Studios

26 September - 8 October 2016
26 September - 1 October: GRACE JONES 
1 - 4 October: GRACE BELLAVUE 
5 - 8 October: GRACE CODDINGTON

Three white female torso busts led to the project idea of the Three Graces, daughters of Zeus, from Greek mythology, and the sculpture by Canova, based on the Hellenic original (and a popular subject evident throughout art history). While representing joy, beauty and goodness, the Graces were also connected to the shadow of the Greek underworld and the Elysian mysteries, Persephone and Demeter. A chief rôle of the Graces was to entertain and serve in the divine court. 
Underpinned by a critique of of 'the male gaze', and observations of its Persephonic elements, the exhibition developed, as the mythical Graces initially intended for the project, gave way to a contemporary take with the Grace's Jones, Bellavue and Coddington, in relation to the concept, and a kind of reclaiming. Issues in Australia over the last months involving the Internet and images of women.
The exhibition closes 7 days prior to the first anniversary of Bellavue's suicide of 15 October 2015. Jones and Coddington have both recently published their autobiographies. 
lifeline.org.au: 13 11 14

DIAMONDSKULL 'Petal' necklace
West Australian seashells, nylon and 
sterling silver 
(Image: Kate Koivisto Wheeler 2016)
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