Kirsha Kaechele, the artist and curator behind the women-only ‘Ladies Lounge’ at Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), has been named marie claire’s Creative of the Year.
Kaechele made international headlines earlier this year when her exclusive space, intended to create a haven for women, faced closure following an anti-discrimination case.
A man denied entry filed a complaint and Tasmania’s Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruled in his favour, giving Kaechele 28 days to allow men in or close the space.
Instead of complying, Kaechele chose to innovate, moving valuable artworks, some later confirmed to be fake Picassos, to the bathroom and rebranding it ‘The Ladies Room’.
Kaechele then appealed the decision, successfully defending her case in the Supreme Court with a following of women in power suits and pearls.
“What I’m most proud of is sparking peaceful debate at such a divisive time,” Kaechele told marie claire.
“It’s easy to take sides, but listening with an open heart is truly beautiful.”
“And it’s been fantastic to completely f—–g overthrow the patriarchy.”
Her message to aspiring creatives was to “just do it”.
“Don’t worry about impostor syndrome, we all have it, big deal,” she said.
“Follow your joy, have fun, take the piss. Dream and then just witness and allow them to come true.”
“Remember, we’re all going to die, so have a good time!”
