The Heide Museum of Modern Art in Melbourne, Victoria, is currently hosting an exhibition titled "Hair Pieces," which centers on the artistic use of hair. The exhibit, curated by Melissa Keys and open until October 6, 2024, features works by 38 artists from eight countries. This diverse collection includes sculptures, photographs, conceptual pieces, and performance art, all exploring the thematic and material complexities of hair.
The exhibition examines a range of topics, including the historical and cultural significance of hair, with works like JD Okhai Ojeikere’s photographic series celebrating Nigerian women's elaborate hairstyles post-independence. It addresses themes of racial classification highlighted in Kemang Wa Lehulere's video installation "Pencil Test 2," which relates to the apartheid-era 'pencil test' used in South Africa.
Gender and feminism are also prominent themes, with pieces like Karla Dickens's "Warrior Woman" confronting gender norms, and Julie Rrap’s and Louise Weaver's works exploring the transformational and emblematic capacities of hair.
The exhibition is designed to challenge visitors' perceptions, mixing playful and serious tones, blending historical reflections with contemporary concerns. Works such as Rosslynd Piggott's "Unknown Woman – From China to Brixton and Elsewhere" and Charlie Sofo and Debris Facility's collection of combs add personal and intimate dimensions to the discussion.
The show also taps into surreal and uncanny elements, with Christina May Carey's "Hypnagogia" blending hair braiding videos with unsettling imagery to evoke themes of control and disturbance. Other artists like Tarryn Gill and John Meade play on the grotesque and whimsical aspects of hair.
"Hair Pieces" at the Heide Museum of Modern Art offers an extensive exploration of hair not only as a medium but as a profound subject reflecting societal, historical, and personal narratives.