Gria Shead - Wonderland, 2016

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Wonderland 2016 by Gria Shead: Unveiling the Opulence and Elegance of La Belle Époque

Gria Shead's exhibition, La Belle Époque: Casinos and Cigars, invites viewers into a world of poetic evocation and visual richness. Acquired by a private collection in Adelaide in 2016, the collection debuted at the Nanda Hobbs Contemporary in Sydney the same year. Shead's mastery in sensitively rendered paintings and works on paper is evident as she delves into the opulent era of la belle époque, particularly focusing on the Monte Carlo Casino.

Inspired by her grandmother's postcards and familial connections to Monte Carlo, Shead breathes life into the faded grandeur of the Casino interiors. Through haunting depictions, she transforms empty rooms into vessels, preserving the intangible impressions of the countless human stories that unfolded within. The exploration extends to vintage cigar box designs, emblematic of elevated social status during this period, linking Australian Impressionists' use of cigar box lids in the 9 by 5 Impression Exhibition in 1889.

The exhibition not only pays homage to the visual splendor of the belle époque but also weaves in the aesthetic of Art Nouveau. Shead captures the movement's sinuous lines and organic curves, expressing the evolving concept of femme nouvelle—the modern woman rejecting conventional roles. The juxtaposition of belle époque France's opulence with the Australian experience introduces an exploration of Kate Kelly's untold story, the rebellious sister of bushranger Ned Kelly, depicted in poses echoing the performers of the era.

Shead's art transcends conventional representations, blending western notions of the female nude with the emblematic Kelly helmet. The artist seeks to unveil the complex roles women play in shaping cultural identity, shedding light on overlooked tales. From Kate Kelly's resilience to Shead's great-grandmother's story and anonymous cigar box belles, the exhibition unfolds a tapestry of feminine experiences beneath the golden veneer of the belle époque. Gria Shead's work is a captivating exploration of cultural movements and personal archives, acknowledging the rich but often overlooked stories that resonate from this bygone era