DANIEL KNEEBONE

1-28 February 2018

Photography is an effective way of creating narrative content through the composition of props and gestures, and Daniel's artwork demonstrates this perfectly. His richly coloured photographs are elaborately staged to provide the audience with a glimpse into the world of Burlesque.

- Contemporary Art Awards

Femme Magnifique (2015-17) is a body of work that takes a luxuriously illustrative look behind the curtain at the sensuous world of burlesque, portraying renowned Australian burlesque performers through narrative art. Burlesque is strongly influenced by women’s attitude and spirit. While society worships archetypical heroic footballer images, there is no female equivalent. For Daniel, the answer is burlesque. It is no coincidence that eighty percent of the audience is female, drawn to the theatricality, performance and strong visceral archetypes depicted in each act. Performers carefully construct their characters using make-up, hairstyling, costume and their physical attributes, to paint a story with which the (female) viewer can identify. Therefore, the aim of the works is not only to shed light on the burlesque industry but to reveal the artists who actively contribute to the vaudeville scene in Australia.

“I love how each performer creates a unique persona that is distinctly her own. The elaborate costumes and make-up are a key part of the performance – serving as a foundation for the story she is telling. I aim to capture this narrative through my work.”

- Daniel Kneebone