Fiona Hall

Fiona Hall

Fiona Margaret Hall (b. 1953) is one of Australia's leading contemporary artists. She first emerged in the 1970s as a photographer, but during the 1980s transitioned to using a diverse range of art forms. Her ever-growing repertoire includes sculpture, painting, installation, garden design and video. Fiona Hall

Hall's choice of material, and the way she uses it, is critical to her art. It speaks to us because it engages with contemporary life in intriguing ways, created from an Australian perspective. Hall deliberately transforms ordinary everyday objects to address a range of contemporary issues such as globalisation, consumerism, colonialism and natural history. Fiona Hall

The core theme throughout Hall's work is the relationship between nature and culture. Throughout her career Hall has also maintained a lifelong commitment to teaching and study as a means of furthering her art. Fiona Hall

Hall is arguably best known for her erotic sardine can series, Paradisus Terrestris - external site. First appearing in 1990, this three-part series depicts the intersection of plant and human culture. Within each half-opened can sits a naked human body part, while plant life sprouts above. Beneath these top two layers, Hall adds language. The three systems make us consider what we share with plants. Fiona Hall

Hall's career spans four decades, and continues unabated. She is an extraordinarily energetic artist. Her work is represented in every major public art collection in Australia. She exhibits regularly in Australia and overseas. Fiona Hall

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