Image (L-R): Sally Anderson portrait: Saskia Wilson; Sarah Drinan portrait: Imogen Jade; Laura Jones portrait:  Amelia Rushforth; India Mark portrait: Anthea Charalambous; Dionisia Salas portrait: courtesy the artist; Julia Trybala portrait: courtesy the artist and STATION, Melbourne and Amber Wallis portrait: Kate Holmes.

“Tender” is a term often associated with notions of care and femininity. We liken tenderness to the body, our gestures, and the way we feel or express ourselves. We impart the term on places, objects or surfaces to describe how they arouse our senses or how an object yields under pressure; it softens, loses shape, and gives way.

This term has rich and varied meanings, and the aim of this exhibition, which takes Tender as its title, is to explore its significance beyond a gender lens. Instead, the exhibition seeks to understand how tenderness is woven into the human form and its integration into all aspects of lived experience through the diverse painting practices of Australian artists Sally Anderson, Sarah Drinan, Laura Jones, India Mark, Dionisia Salas, Julia Trybala and Amber Wallis.

Tender continues our commitment to showcasing the practices of Australian female artists, an initiative funded by the Artist’s Circle Patron Program.

Opening event: Saturday 12 April, 5–7pm