A brand new exhibition titled SOUL fury has opened at Bendigo Art Gallery in Victoria.

Curated in collaboration with Nur Shkembi, the exhibition centers the self-defining creative voices of 16 leading Australian and international contemporary artists with an Islamic heritage.

The show features sculpture, photography, painting, installation, video and textile art that engages with a global dialogue about feminism and contemporary art.

"This important exhibition showcases the longstanding art practices and unique perspectives of a diverse group of women, many challenging dominant misconceptions and stereotypes. We are honoured to work with Nur Shkembi to amplify the contribution these artists are making to art history and contemporary art practice", says Bendigo Art Gallery Director Jessica Bridgfoot.

Mehwish Iqbal,  Seven Seas (2017), collagraph on Japanese paper. Image courtesy of the Artist. Photography by Mim Sterling via Bendigo Art Gallery.

"SOUL fury begins and ends with the power of feminist voices. It echoes, permeates and resonates through the myriad manifestations of beauty, colour, form and materials. What is most compelling about this collection of works is the artists’ ability to ignite something memorable through both the known and unspeakable; they are the new history, self-written, self-aware and self-determined", says Nur Shkembi.

The aims to showcase the breadth and complexity of the female experience in the current social and political climate. The diverse artist line-up includes Adeela Suleman, Cigdem Aydemir, Eugenia Flynn, Mehwish Iqbal and Naiza Khan, to name a few.

SOUL fury is free to visit at the Bendigo Art Gallery from 7 August - 31 October 2021.

Visit the Bendigo Art Gallery website for more information.

Cover photo: Anida Yoeu Ali, Lava Rising, The Red Chador : Genesis I 2019. Image still courtesy of Studio Revolt via Bendigo Art Gallery.