Museum behind ladies-only art exhibit sued by man who was denied entry
Global News
Artist Kirsha Kaechele arrived at the Tasmania courtroom alongside 25 women dressed in navy business attire, all of whom made a show of reading feminist texts in the courtroom.
An American artist who created a ladies-only lounge at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Tasmania, Australia is at the centre of a complaint brought by a man who was denied entry to the exhibit about gender discrimination.
The art exhibit by Kirsha Kaechele, called ‘Ladies Lounge,’ is an ongoing installation at the museum, and invites only women beyond its luxurious green silk curtains. Inside the small lounge, ladies are served champagne by male butlers (the only men allowed in the space) and can view a number of artworks, including several pieces by legendary painter Pablo Picasso.
The Ladies Lounge was created in reference to historic gentleman’s clubs that barred women from entering. But in this case, anyone who does not identify as a woman will be forbidden access by the lounge’s guard at the door.
New South Wales resident Jason Lau was told he could not enter the Ladies Lounge at the MONA, which resides in Tasmania’s capital city Hobart, when he visited the museum in April 2023. Lau filed a formal anti-discrimination complaint within the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and said he was unfairly denied access because of his gender.
Kaechele told The Guardian she was “absolutely delighted” by the legal complaint.
Some of the delight stemmed from Kaechele’s ability to now bring her performance art outside of the MONA and to an Australian courtroom. During Tuesday’s tribunal, Kaechele brought with her 25 women dressed in navy suits and business attire. Throughout the proceedings, the 25 women silently read feminist literature and executed synchronized choreographed movements like crossing their legs or applying lipstick in unison.
When the day’s session came to an end, Kaechele and the group of women left building to the tune of Simply Irresistible by Robert Palmer.
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