Tasmania's Supreme Court overturns ruling against Mona's women-only Ladies Lounge installation
On 27 September, Tasmania's Supreme Court overturned a ruling that mandated Hobart's Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) to permit men access to its Ladies Lounge installation. Acting Justice Stephen Marshall determined that the work, created by artist Kirsha Kaechele, fosters equal opportunity by providing women with a 'flipped universe' experience. The legal battle began when Jason Lau filed a discrimination lawsuit against Mona after being refused entry. On 7 May, the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal initially directed Mona to allow men in. Mona subsequently appealed, with Kaechele defending the right of art to challenge men. Following the Supreme Court's decision, the Tribunal will revisit the case.
Key facts
- Tasmania's Supreme Court overturned a ruling against Mona's women-only Ladies Lounge installation on 27 September
- Acting Justice Stephen Marshall ruled the installation does not violate Tasmania's anti-discrimination act
- The installation was conceived by artist and curator Kirsha Kaechele
- Jason Lau filed a lawsuit against Mona after being denied entry to the Ladies Lounge
- The Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal initially ordered Mona to allow entry to 'persons who do not identify as ladies' on 7 May
- Mona admitted on 11 July that paintings displayed as Picasso works were actually by Kirsha Kaechele
- Other items in the installation including New Guinean spears and jewellery were also revealed as fake
- Kaechele stated the work is 'a response to the lived experience of women forbidden from entering certain spaces throughout history'
Entities
Artists
- Jason Lau
- Kirsha Kaechele
- Sidney Nolan
- Picasso
- David Walsh
Institutions
- Museum of Old and New Art (Mona)
- Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (TASCAT)
- Supreme Court
- The Guardian
- Picasso Administration
Locations
- Hobart
- Australia
- Tasmania