A Tasmanian museum that received a court order forcing it to admit men to a women-only exhibition has relocated part of its collection to a women's toilet to sidestep the ruling.
The Ladies Lounge at Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art has been open since 2020 and houses some of the museum's most acclaimed works. Playing on the concept of Australian pubs, which were historically male-only spaces until 1970, the exhibit only offered women admittance.
Kirsha Kaechele, the artist behind the lounge, is appealing against a ruling made in April to allow men entry to the exhibit following a gender discrimination lawsuit filed by Jason Lau, a New South Wales resident.
In an email shared by a spokesperson, Sara Gates-Matthews, Kaechele said that since the court order, she has done “a little redecorating”.
“I thought a few of the bathrooms in the museum could do with an update … Some cubism in the cubicles. So I’ve relocated the Picassos,” she said
“As our work continues on Section 26 of the Anti-Discrimination Act, ladies can take a break and enjoy some quality time in the Ladies' Room,” said Kaechele.