Fe/Mail
Samantha Houben
March 2022
curated by
Samantha Houben
Fe/mail displays artworks by First Nations women with anonymous letters to the artist to foster an intimate and thought-provoking environment. Open letters address barriers by sharing uncertainties that unravel common threads of hesitation often felt when viewing art. They seek to reveal that notions of women's experiences such as self-doubt are often not our own but a product of our patriarchal, colonised society.
As a form of fan-mail, letters physically travel across Australia’s unique rich red landscape, Fe is the periodic symbol for Iron, the strongest, most resilient metal, fundamental for survival. Fe/mail uses the letters to consider both womankind and the foundations of the earth. In this sense, it can be explored how works by First Nations artists are far more than the abstract paint on the surface, they hold invaluable histories, knowledge and are powerful representations of our world.
Sam is a First Nations Māori woman and emerging curator interested in exploring the female psyche. She holds a Master in Digital Media, BAS majoring in Art History and is completing her Master of Art Curating at Sydney University. With experience working in private galleries, Sam is dedicated to promoting an engaging environment fuelled by art for all to enjoy.
