wecastonlineA new exhibition at the Heide Museum of Modern Art in Australia examines what hair says about identity, gender, social status and more
The Heide Museum of Modern Art in Melbourne, Australia, is hosting a thought-provoking exhibition that delves into the multifaceted cultural significance of hair throughout history. Curated by Melissa Keys, the exhibition explores how hair has been a powerful medium for expressing ideas about gender, mythology, social status, power, identity, and beauty.
As Melissa Keys explains, hair has always held a prominent place in human culture and society. It acts as a symbolic extension of the self, revealing and shaping individual and collective identities. The exhibition at Heide Museum showcases various artistic interpretations and representations of hair, highlighting its role in different cultural narratives and its impact on personal and societal perceptions.
Through a diverse range of artworks, the exhibition examines how hair can communicate complex ideas and emotions. From historical depictions to contemporary art, the display underscores the enduring relevance of hair as a subject in art, demonstrating its capacity to convey intricate stories about humanity. Whether viewed through the lens of feminism, psychology, or social norms, hair remains a potent symbol in the visual arts, reflecting deeper truths about the human experience.
One of the highlights of the “Hair Pieces” exhibition at the Heide Museum of Modern Art is the inclusion of works by the renowned artists Marina Abramović and Ulay. Their piece “Relation in Time” (1977) features compelling video footage of the duo sitting back-to-back for hours, with their long hair intricately intertwined into a single bun. This performance piece explores themes of connection, endurance, and the passage of time, using hair as a potent symbol of their relationship and collaboration.
Curator Melissa Keys explains in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald that the exhibition aims to explore the multifaceted associations of hair. “Hair contains this multiplicity of associations, and that was one of the things that really interested me about it—its complexity and the fact that it is very difficult to kind of pin down,” Keys says. This inherent complexity and the rich symbolism of hair make it a recurring subject in art, drawing artists back to it time and again.
“Hair Pieces” will be on view at the Heide Museum of Modern Art in Melbourne, Australia, until October 6, 2024. The exhibition invites visitors to explore the diverse cultural, psychological, and aesthetic dimensions of hair through a range of artistic expressions from various media and international perspectives.
