Works By Emma Cash
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners, and ongoing Custodians of the land and waterways, the Jagera people. We extend this courtesy to all Indigenous peoples of this continent and its neighbouring lands and acknowledge their cultures as the oldest continuously living cultures in human history. We honour the ancestors of our local country and recognise the deep spiritual connections that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have with the land, sea, sky and community. We pay our respects to Elders, past, present and emerging.
Down the Feminist Rabbit Hole
This artwork portrays the meadow in which Alice first noticed the rabbit. The palette in this work is of conceptual significance with the brown and gold relating to our natural world and intend to evoke feelings of warmth, security, and earthiness. While the blues/lilac connote to spirituality, intuition and curiosity. The central focus of the work is on the rabbit hole, four layers of paint combined with the intensity of the black, it symbolizes the four waves of feminism and refers to a discussion around gender that this series of works embody.
Acrylic, Oil, Charcoal on 300gsm Paper
Preliminary Art – Down the Feminist Rabbit Hole Process Notes:
The Four Waves of Feminism; Social, economic and political equality of the sexes.
The meadow, earthy browns, blues and lilacs represent curiosity and intuition.
Feminism is, of course, part of human rights in general – but to choose to use the vague expression human rights is to deny the specific and particular problem of gender. It would be a way of pretending that it was not women who have, for centuries, been excluded. It would be a way of denying that the problem of gender targets women. That the problem was not about being human, but specifically about being a female human.
— Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, We Should All Be Feminists
A Moral Compass
This work symbolises the distinct rhythms and trajectories of various life pathways, floating in a vivid sea of infinite time in a world filled with fantasy and possibility. The rabbit portrays one’s conscious, split in half, it is both quietly leading and directing our minds towards change. The colour palette is grounded in the desire to unearth and unravel fresh perspectives; white and blue signify curiosity and innocence, while the various hues of oil paint on the rabbit serve as inspirations for future opportunities.
Acrylic, Oil, Ink, Charcoal on 300gsm Paper
Preliminary Art – Untitled
Culture does not make people. People make culture.
People comply to social pressure, often feeling invisible, even when they hold positions of power: Are we so invested in being liked?
Vibrant colours around the center image, monochromatic backdrop.
“Alice replied, rather shyly, “I—I hardly know, Sir, just at present—at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.“
— Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Maybe She’s A Wild Flower
Flowers and breasts of all shapes and sizes flow throughout this piece, bringing with them questions of self-discovery, acceptance of a changing body and belief in oneself. The bright colours celebrate the coming of age, and the changes experienced both physically and cognitively, through growing up from childhood to adulthood. The ‘She’ in the title is suggestive of Alice, however, the work intends to maintain a gender-neutral aura.
Acrylic, Oil, Gold Leaf Paper, Charcoal on 300gsm Paper
Preliminary Art – A Dream is Not Reality, But Who’s to Say Which is Which?
Process Notes:
“It would be so nice if something made sense for a change”
-Alice, Lewis Carroll.
Humans are constantly evolving; embrace change and new perceptions of the world.
Alice falling and changing size, trying to make sense of it all.
Dark colours surround Alice.
“I’m not strange, weird, off, nor crazy, my reality is just different from yours.”
— Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Spirited With A Side of Mad
This artwork explores the tragic and inevitable loss of childhood innocence, open-mindedness, and acceptance of ourselves and others. The protagonist navigates the nonsensical world of adults, and the rules in which society is governed. The Cheshire Cat symbolizes a spirit guide that advises and protects Alice’s soul helping to attain her greatest potential. The lower right side shows the Mad Hatter wearing a mask which is symbolic of the many faces, and unpleasant sides of human nature. A rainbow of bright colours evokes mixed emotions of joy, spirituality, unease and equality, while the chess board background reminds us that life is like a game; and we must not waste a move.
Acrylic, Oil, Ink, Charcoal on 300gsm Paper
Preliminary Art – Alice Vs Alistair
Process Notes:
In raising children, we focus more on their innate abilities and less on their gender characteristics:
“What if we focus on interest instead of gender?”
-Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Rainbow colours signify love and equality.
“Because gender can be uncomfortable, there are easy ways to close this conversation. Some people will bring up evolutionary biology and apes, how female apes bow to male apes…But the point is this: we are not apes. Apes also live in trees and eat earthworms. We do not.“
— Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, We Should All Be Feminists
We Are Not Apes
This work reframes the narrative surrounding the Red Queen. It considers the evolution of mankind and a story of strength and leadership. It positions the Red Queen not as a villain, but as an intelligent, creative, and innovative person who rises to the challenge, regardless of gender. The sharp lines and deep red hues signify power, blood and feminine strength, while the softer pinks and blues remind us of our humanness and the gentler sides of human nature.
Acrylic, Pastel, Oil, Charcoal on 300gsm Paper
Preliminary Art – The Red Queen
Process Notes:
We have evolved. But our ideas of gender have not evolved very much.
Colours of power, strength, feminine energy. Reds, pinks, blues, and black.
The Queen’s hair sits high to symbolize status and leadership within society.
Cards connect back to characters of Wonderland.
Chess board background signifies life is like a game of chess, to win you have to make a move.
Not a villain. A fair and just ruler; with equal qualities to men. The way women perceive themselves.
“Red Queen hypothesis was coined in evolutionary biology to explain that a species must adapt and evolve for reproductive advantage, but also for survival because competing organisms also are evolving.”
— Michael Morand
Free Thinking Alice
This piece considers themes of identity, open-mindedness and the pressures to conform within society. A faceless Alice with a display of words ‘Active, Assertive, Curious’ show the female protagonist is capable of making her own decisions. The psychology of colours was considered when designing this work. The vibrancy of the orange provides a sense of youthfulness, passion and positivity, while layers of black evoke mystery, power and sophistication.
Acrylic, Oil, Charcoal on 300gsm Paper
Preliminary Art – You Are the Captain of Your Destiny
Process Notes:
A matured Alice, free from the constraints of society. She chooses to walk her own path. Her hair is different, her clothes are different. She now realises her choices and decisions determine her destiny and she chooses to chart her own course.
Same colour palette as Free-Thinking Alice – Black and white with orange hues.
“I am no Bird; no cage ensnares me:
I am a free-thinking human being with an independant will. “
— Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre
You Are the Captain of Your Destiny
This work considers an alternate ending, one that shows Alice has broken free from the constraints of society; free to think, free to dress, and master her own life.
Acrylic, Oil, Charcoal on 300gsm Paper
