The Boho

Jacqui Stockdale

1 - 30 Apr 2016

Stockdale’s new series, The Boho, is being shown in the Adelaide Biennial at the Art Gallery of South Australia from February to May 2016 and will be shown at THIS IS NO FANTASY + dianne tanzer gallery from 1 April to 30 April 2016.  

Stockdale’s compelling photographic portraits reflect her ongoing fascination with history, mythology and identity. Her images playfully mimic the genre of exotic postcards and historical paintings where a fanciful subject is positioned within a make–believe landscape. Dressed in costumes and masks Stockdale’s characters are layered with cultural references.

Stockdale’s hand-painted landscapes form the backdrops to the works. The striking combination of photography and painting in a single image is a recurring element in Stockdale’s practice and reflects her capacity to embrace and work skillfully across a range of mediums.

‘The Boho’ draws on the nineteenth century Australian folk narrative surrounding the popular larrikin and anti-hero Ned Kelly. They combine Jacqui’s fascination with colonial folklore, myths and masquerade. The life size portraits depict living subjects – including Paul Kelly and Missy Higgins, in front of iconic ‘Kelly country’ landscapes, such as String Bark Creek and Power’s Lookout in the King Valley, Victoria.