Exploring the 40-year career of leading Australian artist eX de Medici, ‘Beautiful Wickedness’ focuses on her meticulous, panoramic watercolours and traces the genesis of her practice through formative artworks.
Throughout her practice, de Medici has remained true to her early Punk principles — a suspicion of authority, an ethos of political agitation and a disrespect for capitalism, consumerism and mass culture. She has been similarly steadfast in her resolve to unmask misuses of power. Also present in her work are references that reveal her fascination with botanical art, illuminated manuscripts and the coded symbolism of seventeenth-century Dutch still-life painting.
These complex messages permeate de Medici’s exquisitely detailed watercolours and works of decorative art that denounce the violence around us that is ‘hiding in plain sight’. In this context, her sumptuous and richly detailed artworks emerge as a carefully orchestrated strategy to entice audiences and urge them to think critically about the world around them.
Skulls are a recurring motif in de Medici’s work. They refer to her practice as a tattooist, and her engagement with Dutch still-life paintings, known as vanitas or memento mori, which is Latin for ‘remember, you must die’.
Buy Tickets
Your ticket to ‘eX de Medici: Beautiful Wickedness’ provides entry to two exhibitions on your day of visit, including ‘Michael Zavros: The Favourite’. GOMA, until 2 October 2023
‘eX de Medici: Beautiful Wickedness’ in 1.2 and 1.3 (Eric and Marion Taylor Gallery) at GOMA from 24 June until 2 October 2023 is the most significant exhibition of work by celebrated Australian artist eX de Medici yet staged. The survey will examine the artist’s central concerns, including the fragility of life, global affairs, greed and commerce, and the universal themes of power, conflict, and death.
‘Beautiful Wickedness’ offers opportunities for dialogue with ‘Michael Zavros: The Favourite‘ presented in the adjacent gallery 1.1 (The Fairfax Gallery) and 1.2. Immerse yourself in these two irresistible exhibitions from leading Australian artists. Your ticket provides entry to both exhibitions on your day of visit. Buy timed tickets in advance to guarantee entry. Last session 4.00pm daily. Exhibition closes at 5.00pm. Full-day Flexi Ticket also available.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art stands and recognise the creative contribution First Australians make to the art and culture of this country.
