From left: Grace Crowley ‘Miss Gwen Ridley’ 1930, oil on canvas on board, 72 x 53 cm, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, purchased 1995 with the assistance of South Australian Government Grant; Alison Rehfisch ‘Oranges and lemons’ c1934, oil on canvas, 50 x 40 cm, Art Gallery of New South Wales, purchased 1976 © Estate of Alison Rehfisch. In a landmark exploration of Australian modernism, “Dangerously Modern: Australian Women Artists in Europe 1890-1940” delves into the artistic achievements of 50 pioneering women whose works redefined the global art scene in the early 20th century. Presented by the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) and the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA), the exhibition unites over 200 pieces spanning paintings, prints, sculptures, and ceramics.
Launching in 2025, in honour of the 50th anniversary of International Women’s Year, the exhibition will initially debut at AGSA in Adelaide, followed by its Sydney premiere at AGNSW.
“Dangerously Modern” illuminates the daring journeys of these women artists who, defying societal constraints, traveled from Australia to Europe’s artistic capitals at a time when women were beginning to access professional art training and exhibition spaces in cities like London and Paris. In these bustling hubs, they found inspiration and opportunity, often embracing permanent lives abroad. As Emma Fey, AGSA’s acting director, notes, Dangerously Modern “builds on the strengths of AGSA’s collection of South Australian-born modern women artists,” showcasing icons like Dorrit Black and Margaret Preston, alongside Sydney-born counterparts such as Grace Crowley and Thea Proctor.
The exhibition’s title, inspired by an article by Proctor, who famously encountered the term “dangerously modern” upon her return to Australia, underscores the boundary-breaking spirit of these artists. “This exhibition reconsiders the contributions of fifty women, challenging long-held definitions of Australian art,” co-curators Wayne Tunnicliffe, Elle Freak, and Tracey Lock explain.
Alongside celebrated names, “Dangerously Modern” reveals lesser-known voices, expanding the narrative of Australian art to include figures whose lives and works moved fluidly across continents, connecting with artists in New Zealand and Europe.
“Dangerously Modern” will be on view from May 24, 2025, through to 7 Sep at the Art Gallery of South Australia, agsa.sa.gov.au, and from Oct 10, 2025 through to Feb 1, 2026 at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, artgallery.nsw.gov.au.
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