Feminist artists in double exhibition at Platform Gallery

Local artist Rani Brown will be exploring environmental activism through film, image and painting, while northern NSW artist Marley Myles explores spirituality and modern feminism through embroidery.

"As Australia's first feminist gallery, I'm delighted that we are able to exhibit Rani and Marley together,'" said Platform curator, Kelly Heylen. "They both strive to create social change through their art.

"It's important to us to show not only work of artists who traditionally have less opportunities in the art world but also to show work that pushes for positive social change."

Rani Brown has worked alongside the environmental activist movement for decades, producing films such as Courage For the Long Haul and Knitting Nannas on the activists working to stop CSG exploration, among other issues.

"When we can recognise what is at stake, biodiversities lost, dispossessed peoples, extinctions and climate change, when we have the courage to really arrive in how it is right now in our world, we open to creativity and to intelligence," said Brown.

Heylen said: "As society grapples with the effects of climate change, we are seeing more and more artists using their talent and voice to contribute to the conversation, and call for action before it's too late. It is a privilege to be able to show art which, as well as being aesthetically beautiful, has the potential to create long-lasting positive change."

Exhibiting alongside Brown is Marley Myles, whose exhibition features hand stitched representations of the major arcana, exploring emotional wisdom and experience through the symbolism of the tarot.

"Marley is representative of a new force of young female artists who are using their art to promote feminist messages around reproductive choice, bodily autonomy, environmentalism and the female spirit," said Heylen.

The opening is at 5.30pm on Friday, July 19, at Platform Gallery, 194 Katoomba St. All welcome. The exhibitions run until August 5.