Know My Name: Australian Women Artists

MPRG offers an opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the art and stories of some of Australia's most influential women artists. The exhibition is a continuation of the National Gallery's major two-part exhibition held between 2020 and 2022, recognised as one of the most comprehensive presentations of art by women in Australia.

Danny Lacy, Director of Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery, described the touring exhibition as a major achievement for the region. “Know My Name celebrates women and art throughout Australia, and we are honoured to be the first venue showing this collection of important works, right here in Mornington. This exhibition will create conversation and spark inspiration and I admire the perseverance and passion the team at the National Gallery of Australia have invested into this touring event which will amplify women artists across galleries around the world,” said Danny.

"Know My Name" encompasses a diverse range of works from the national collection, including delicate portrait drawings by Janet-Cumbrae Stewart and Margaret Preston's widely admired "Flapper" from 1925. The exhibition offers a historical journey through time, featuring groundbreaking feminist pieces from the 1970s and ‘80s by artists like Vivienne Binns, including her renowned "Mothers’ Memories, Others’ Memories", with additional contributions from collectives such as the Women’s Domestic Needlework Group.

A vital aspect of "Know My Name" is the representation of First Nations artists. The exhibition proudly showcases magnificent paintings by Emily Kam Kngwarray and Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori, offering a glimpse into unique Indigenous Australian artworks.

This touring exhibition is a part of the National Gallery's broader "Know My Name" initiative – a series of ongoing gender equity programs aimed at increasing the representation of women artists, who have often been overlooked in published histories and public collections.

"Know My Name: Australian Women Artists" tells a new story of Australian art, focusing on moments when women created novel forms of art and cultural commentary. It emphasises the creative and intellectual relationships between artists, bringing a fresh perspective on Australia's artistic heritage.

MPRG invites visitors to explore the inspiring works of these pioneering women; a celebration of diversity, history, and the spirit of Australian women artists. "Know My Name" is an immersive experience into the heart of Australia's cultural and artistic evolution, led by women who dared to make their names known.

Know My Name: Australian Women Artists is a National Gallery Touring Exhibition supported by the Australian Government through Visions of Australia.

Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery
Civic Reserve, Dunns Road, Mornington

For more information, visit mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au