Patron saint of lapdogs
(2022)
Medium
inkjet print
Measurements
(148.1 × 98.3 cm) (image and sheet)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, Victoria Foundation for Living Australian Artists, 2022
© Atong Atem. Courtesy of the artist and Sullivan+Strumpf
Gallery location
Gallery 17
Level 3, NGV Australia
About this work
In this self-portrait, Melbourne-based artist Atong Atem subverts the longstanding tradition of aristocratic women posing with their lapdogs. While similarities can be drawn between the composition of Atem’s work and others in this section of the exhibition, Atem’s works challenge entrenched ideas of status as opposed to celebrating them. Posing with an Italian greyhound named Rooster, Atem, her face painted green, challenges Western beauty standards and what is considered ‘normal’.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Melbourne, Victoria
Accession Number
2022.1563
Department
Australian Photography