A museum in Australia has moved Picasso paintings to the museums' female toilets following a complaint from a male visitor who couldn't enter the exhibit where the paintings were previously on display.
Two paintings and a drawing by Pablo Picasso were moved from Kirsha Kaechele's 'Ladies Lounge' exhibition at Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) after the museum was ordered by the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to stop refusing entry to “persons who do not identify as ladies”.
The exhibition, which had been in place since December 2020, invited "any and all ladies" to indulge in "decadent nibbles, fancy tipples, and other ladylike pleasures" served by a male butler while they enjoy the art within the green velvet-draped room.
The Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) was ordered to close the 'Ladies Lounge' exhibit (Bloomberg via Getty Images)The artist told the tribunal that denying men entry to the room was part of the art — giving them an insight into the historical discrimination and exclusions experienced by women.
Now, the three Picasso pieces are displayed proudly in an upgraded restroom with a fully functional toilet dubbed the 'Ladies Room'.
The artist took to Instagram on Monday, and jokingly stated: "A new exhibition at Mona. Just for ladies... We never had female toilets at Mona before, they were all unisex. But then the Ladies Lounge had to close thanks to a lawsuit brought on by a man. And I just didn't know what to do with all those Picassos."
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Kirsha, who is also the wife of MONA’s owner, David Walsh, added: "We'll get the Lounge open again as a church/school/boutique glamping accommodation/facilities/etc under Section 27 of the Anti Discrimination Act, but in the meantime enjoy (ladies)!"
Jason Lau, a visitor from New South Wales was stopped from entering the 'Ladies Lounge' exhibit in April 2023. Jason had paid the $35 AUD (£18.41) entry fee before he was told he was not allowed to enter the installation. Jason claimed that he had experienced direct gender discrimination.
“He felt strongly enough about this to file a complaint with Equal Opportunities Tasmania,” read notes from the court tribunal.
In a blog post on the museum's website, in light of the closure of the 'Ladieds Room', Kirsha was asked: "What other opportunities do you see for reformation of the Ladies Lounge?"
The artist replied: "It could become a toilet... A toilet, in a large, green velvet room, with butlers who serve champagne."
What was perhaps a joke at the time, is in fact the reality today. The museum's post noted that this would be exempt from the act, as on of the exemptions states: "In the provision or use of facilities, if those facilities are reasonably required for use by persons of one gender only."
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