Fiona McMonagle
Fiona McMonagle is a Naarm/Melbourne based artist working across painting, watercolour and animation. Her practice explores the stories, symbols and cultural narratives that shape how we see ourselves and others.
Drawing on sources as varied as popular culture, religious imagery, folklore and everyday life, McMonagle examines the ways meaning is constructed through images, objects and social conventions. Her work often combines humour with a darker undercurrent, exploring themes of identity, power, gender and belief.
Over the past decade, her work has frequently focused on the representation of women in contemporary culture, examining the scrutiny, expectations and contradictions that continue to shape female experience. More recent works have expanded these concerns to consider the broader systems of meaning people turn to in an increasingly uncertain world.
McMonagle has exhibited extensively throughout Australia, including solo exhibitions in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide. She was a finalist in the Archibald Prize in 2018 and the winner of the UQ Art Museum National Self-Portrait Prize in 2015. McMonagle's work is held in numerous public collections including the National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery of South Australia and the National Portrait Gallery.
Download PDF
FIONA MCMONAGLE RECIPIENT OF THE 2022 GEELONG CONTEMPORARY ART PRIZE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
We are delighted to share that the recipient of the 2022 Geelong Contemporary Art Prize People’s Choice Award is Fiona McMonagle.
Of the painting ‘For most of history anonymous was a woman’ McMonagle has stated:
“Through the portrayal of iconic and influential women throughout history these works ask what is it like to be strong, independent and female? And what sacrifices have these women made for their celebrity. My portraits are a celebration of women, of their struggles, complexities and their power.”
Visit the Gallery to see the Geelong Contemporary Art Prize finalists. This exhibition is on until 11 September.
FIONA MCMONAGLE AT MAITLAND REGIONAL GALLERY
Works by Fiona McMonagle are on display at Maitland Regional Art Gallery in Shadow Boxer. The exhibition highlights artists' cultural fascination with the boxing ring, showcasing works by contemporary Australian artist who explore ideas of race, gender and class and the physicality of boxing in their work.
Shadow Boxer is on display until 26 September 2021.
McMonagle's next solo exhibition will be held at the gallery in September 2021. To request a preview, please contact the gallery.
Image: Fiona McMonagle, Misha, 2014
FIONA MCMONAGLE AT MORNINGTON PENINSULA REGIONAL GALLERY
Fiona McMonagle was selected as a finalist in the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery (MPRG)'s National Works on Paper Prize.
Established in 1998, the prize supports and promotes contemporary Australian artists working on or with paper a $15,000 major acquisitive award. The exhibition of finalists is on display at MPRG until 21 February 2021.
Image: Fiona McMonagle, Rachel Meghan Markle, 2020. Photo: Tobias Titz
Showing all 97 artworks
