Natalya Hughes: Significant Men

Overview

Australian artist Natalya Hughes has been creating incredible paintings and drawings for 10 years now. This month, Woolloongabba’s Milani Gallery is home to quite a significant exhibition from this Brisbane art scene veteran – a collection of works entitled Significant Men.

The works included in Hughes’ exhibition are just as the name suggests (don’t you love that!), with each of the pieces delving into the stories of significant men in Hughes’ life - whether they be real or imaginary. Each of the twelve works is quite symbolic, all depicting portraits of men that has been composed in very a decorative and abstract sense.

A seemingly post-feminist theme is woven throughout the exhibition, and marks a new page for Hughes’ artistic direction. Despite having maintained her signature style – an eclectic combination that incorporates pop culture themes with historical art methods - Hughes has taken a slightly more “masculine” path in these new pieces.

Previously, Hughes’ work explored the links between feminism and art theory, however this exhibition takes a definitive turn towards the “other sex”.

If you're a fan of her work, be sure to check out her current installation at the Gallery of Modern Art, titled Contemporary Australia: Women which compliments her exhibition at Milani Gallery.