Ermyntrude and Esmerelda (NGV X MECCA)
Esmerelda and Ermyntrude is a solo exhibition featuring 4 paintings and 3 sculptural works exhibited at the National Gallery of Victoria (Melbourne) for the NGV x MECCA Holiday commission.
Photos courtesy Gary Sommerfeld, Nicholas Aloisio-Shearer, and Charlie Hillhouse
History
ERA Category
- Original Creative Work - Visual Art
Funding type
- Self funded
Eligible major research output?
- Yes
If not major research
- Major Research
Research Statement
Research background: Esmerelda and Ermyntrude is a solo exhibition featuring 4 paintings and 3 sculptural works exhibited at the National Gallery of Victoria (Melbourne) for the NGV x MECCA Holiday commission. The project takes its title and focus from the novella written by Bloomsbury group author Lytton Strachey and illustrated by Russian born French illustrator Erté (Romain de Tirtoff). Reimagining this historical text the work uses Strachey’s tongue in cheek narrative and Erté’s highly coded illustrations as a premise for exploring femininity and the pursuit of pleasure. Research contribution: Each painting and sculptural work in this series uses profuse decoration and garment in order to visualise scenes from the book and its key protagonists. The work also make use of code and metaphor - like ‘bow wows’ and ‘pussies’ featured in the text - to represent these pleasure seeking characters in painting and sculptural tableaux. Code, abstraction and material engagement are used as devices for speaking to the performative and playful nature of these feminine characters who are motivated by their shared sexual curiosity and at odds with their environment.The work celebrates the camp and queer narrative of Stracchey and Erté’s text, aligning it with a language of decorative excess and an ironic performance of femininity. Research significance: This work was commissioned by the NGV and MECCA for their Holiday collaboration and campaign, a significant opportunity given to a single artist annually. As a result of this commission the majority of works were acquired into the NGV collection. One work from the series was also a finalist in the Mosman Art Prize. The work was featured in multiple media sources including Harper’s Bazaar and Art Collector.Publisher
National Gallery of VictoriaPlace of publication
Ian Potter Centre, NGV, MelbourneConfidential / Culturally sensitive
- No
Copyright notes
@ 2024 Natalya HughesMedium
Acrylic on polycotton, 3D printed filament, fabric sculpture.Number of discrete components
7Exhibition date from
2024-10-07Exhibition date to
2025-02-01Was the work disseminated?
- Yes
Form of dissemination
- Exhibition
Scope of dissemination
- State
Did the work go on tour?
- No