In her latest exhibition, Gestures of Retribution, Brisbane-based artist Amy Carkeek turns a critical lens toward the role of media, language and symbolism in undermining women within the political sphere. Opening at Photo Access on 19 June 2025, this thought-provoking body of work interrogates how gestures and representations—often dismissed as inconsequential—can in fact serve as powerful tools of resistance and feminist retribution.
Drawing on recent portrayals of female politicians in the Australian media, Carkeek employs cameraless photography and appropriation to reframe the hand gestures of women in politics. These movements, frequently stripped of context or mocked in public discourse, are here reimagined as non-verbal assertions of agency and strength. Through this strategy, Carkeek invites viewers to reconsider how seemingly subtle acts can carry potent socio-political meaning.
One of the exhibition’s anchor pieces, Which Witch?, emerged from a protest placard targeting former Prime Minister Julia Gillard. This text-based work directly challenges the recurring use of the “witch” archetype—a historically loaded term used to denigrate powerful women. In reclaiming and reconfiguring this label, Carkeek channels the trope’s subversive potential, positioning the witch not as a figure of fear but as a symbol of female resistance. The work underscores how language, often weaponised to control or dismiss, can be reappropriated as a tool of empowerment.
At its core, Gestures of Retribution is a meditation on visibility, context and feminist agency. By removing the camera’s lens and leaning into appropriation, Carkeek shifts focus from passive image-making to active critique. Her reimagined imagery becomes a form of protest—confronting the viewer with the pervasive and often unexamined biases present in visual culture and political commentary.
Amy Carkeek’s broader practice frequently explores how photography and language are used to shape meaning, often in ways that obscure, commodify, or deceive. Her work dissects the idealism of the suburban dream, questions the facade of consumer culture, and unearths the insidious forces that continue to define women’s roles—both within the home and the broader public sphere.
Audiences are also invited to engage with the artist directly at a special Artist in Conversation session on Saturday 21 June at 11am. This event provides a rare opportunity to hear Carkeek speak about her artistic process, the inspirations behind the exhibition, and her reflections on the ongoing cultural dialogue around gender, politics, and power.
Exhibition Details
Title: Gestures of Retribution
Artist: Amy Carkeek
Dates: 19 June – 12 July 2025
Venue: Photo Access, Manuka Arts Centre, 30 Manuka Circle, Griffith, ACT
Artist in Conversation:
Date: Saturday 21 June 2025
Time: 11am
Location: Photo Access
Admission: Free – please register your interest in advance.
For more information, visit Photo Access
