By NOEL MURPHY
GEELONG artist Sophia Hewson has been shortlisted for this year’s Archibald prize with her controversial painting “Delivered”.
The entry is Hewson’s second shortlisting with the prestigious Archibald and tackles deep issues about female sexuality in a patriarchal society.
Presently in New York on a six-month residency at the Residency Unlimited Program in New York, Hewson was unavailable for comment yesterday but a spokesperson, Mars Gallery director Andy Dinan, said the artist was “thrilled with the news”.
“It’s a self-portrait based in which Sophia is using her body to open a dialogue on female self-objectification. This is when a woman intentionally uses her sexuality to objectify herself,” Ms Dinan said.
“It’s basically claiming back ownership of your body so you can assert yourself sexually without it amounting to availability.
“There’s nothing in this painting that’s not considered. It’s extremely well resolved and thought-provoking. She’s really questioning a lot of male values and seeing where she fits.
“What I love about it is she makes it questions so many things and that’s what makes great art.”
The Archibald Prize winner will be announced 17 July.
