Congratulations to Fiona McMonagle, who has been announced as a finalist in The Lester Prize for 2025 with her painting ‘Eve #2’!
About this series, Fiona shares: “In patriarchal systems, women unconsciously absorb and enforce sexist beliefs, creating divisions and perpetuating cycles of blame and shame. Disappointingly, such judgment often comes from within the community of women, fuelled by internalised misogyny.
This body of work, Eve, explores these dynamics, depicting women’s faces boldly and unapologetically, inspired by the confrontational format of mugshots. These raw portraits, painted with fluid acrylics on raw canvas, reflect society’s tendency to label and shame women. The work challenges viewers to confront their biases and complicity in this culture of judgment.”
The exhibition will be on display from 19 September - 16 November 2025 at the Western Australian Museum, Boola Bardip.
Pictured: Fiona McMonagle's 'Eve' at Hugo Michell Gallery, 2025. Photography by Tobias Titz