Lot 25

Sullivan+Strumpf, Sydney
Private collection, Melbourne

Warrior Woman, Andrew Baker Art Dealer at Melbourne Art Fair, Melbourne, 2018

Karla Dickens is a Wiradjuri woman living in regional New South Wales, who explores the experiences of women and First Nations people through her art. Dickens collects an abundance of found objects and materials, often scavenged from dump sites, hard rubbish, her local second-hand marketplaces. Nearly every part of her artist creations are repurposed. The following poetic statement was written by Karla in 2017 when this series was created, and reproduced in the exhibition material for her recent exhibition at Campbelltown Arts Centre running from January through March 2023.

WARRIOR WOMEN

Turning the washing basket
upside down, inside out
looking for Reg Grundies
resilient and well made

No frills
no pastel flowers
nor see-through lace
no crotchless G-strings

Hardened undergarments
big-girls' undies
protective covers
personal security guards

The world needs facing
wearing raw pain, old pain
shared and naked pain
standing up, showing up

Being heard and being counted
holding courage tight
ready to love and be loved
to be real, to be hurt, to be brave

Big-girl underwear
big-girl knickers
tough and ready
until the time allows
then the cheeks will shake

Run, dance, fart and sing
as the nakedness is unleashed
on the darkest of nights
glowing under moons of glory

Warrior women play again
butts blowing in the breeze
gracefully relaxed
in empowered freedom

(Karla Dickens, 2017)

© Karla Dickens/Copyright Agency, 2023