Edit-a-thon: Women artists from the Collection

 

We caught up with some of the recent Art+Feminism Wikipedia edit-a-thon participants to find out what inspired them to take part in this exciting and important initiative.

The QAGOMA Research Library played host on International Women’s Day 2020 while at the same time across the globe people participated in the edit-a-thon aimed at addressing the under-representation of women, feminism and the arts on Wikipedia.

Presented by Dr Louise R Mayhew the communal workshop gave participants the opportunity to contribute to the digital visibility of women artists on the world’s most popular research tool, by creating, editing and updating Wikipedia pages on women artists from the QAGOMA Collection.

At QAGOMA, 14 editors created 5 new articles, expanded 8 existing articles and added 59 references, with a total of 5000 words across the two hour workshop.

Ann Thomson

Ann Thomson, Australia b.1933 / Sea scene 2006-08 / Oil on linen / Gift of the artist through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation 2013. Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Estate of Ann Thomson

“The absence of easily accessible information about female artists speaks volumes of who we assign value to in the art world. The opportunity it to participate in a collective effort to re-address this imbalance sounded like the perfect way to spend International Women’s Day”. Lily Charlton

Art+Feminism Wikipedia edit-a-thon participant Lily Charlton / Photograph: Katie Bennett

Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori

Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori, Kaiadilt people, Australia 1924-2015 / Dibirdibi Country 2008 / Synthetic polymer paint on linen / 200 x 600cm / Purchased 2008 with funds from Margaret Mittelheuser AM and Cathryn Mittelheuser AM through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda/Licensed by Copyright Agency

“I like exploring ways on how I can harness technology to highlight more women and celebrate their works.

I was delighted to come across Sally Gabori, one of the most important Australian painters and Aboriginal artist. She first held a paintbrush at age 81, and 7 months after beginning to paint Sally was attending her own sell out show at a Brisbane gallery!” Ria San Gabriel

Art+Feminism Wikipedia edit-a-thon participant Ria San Gabriel / Photograph: Katie Bennett

Madonna Staunton

Madonna Staunton, Australia 1938-2019 / No one said 2010 / Synthetic polymer paint on canvas / 64 x 63.4 x 5cm (framed) / Purchased 2014 with funds from the Estate of Jessica Ellis through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Estate of Madonna Staunton

“I heard about the event and I wanted to contribute to addressing the under-representation of awesome women in public discourse!” Vanessa Swinburn

Art+Feminism Wikipedia edit-a-thon participants Vanessa Swinburn and Janeene Preston-Bennett / Photograph: Katie Bennett

Judy Cassab

Judy Cassab, Australia 1920-2015 / Portrait of Treania Smith 1957 / Oil on plywood / 83 x 55.5cm (sight) / Gift of Treania Bennett BEM (nee Smith) 1990 / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Judy Cassab Estate/Licensed by Copyright Agency

“Having edited wiki articles before I was keen to get involved in the event to actively help bring awareness to women artists whose legacies are absent from the canon of art history.” Samantha Wallis

Art+Feminism Wikipedia edit-a-thon participant Samantha Wallis / Photograph: Katie Bennett

QAGOMA Research Library

The QAGOMA Research Library is located on Level 3 of the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA). Open to the public Tuesday to Friday 10.00am to 5.00pm. visit us in person or explore the online catalogue. Access to special collections is available by appointment.

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