'Women only' exhibition slapped with discrimination complaint

An anti-discrimination case has been brought against a Tasmanian artist after a male patron was denied entry into a female-only exhibition.

Artist Kirsha Kaechele created a 'ladies' lounge' inside the Hobart's Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). Ms Kaechele is also the wife of museum owner David Walsh.

The entrance to the small ladies' lounge is guarded and roped off and only those who identify as women are allowed in.

Inside the space is a collection of artworks, including some of the gallery's most prized works.

Female visitors to the space are served by a team of male butlers while all male patrons to the museum are denied entry.

Ms Kaechele said the work is intended to pushback against years of discrimination against women, including the exclusion of women in male-only public bars until the 1970s.

"It's a place for women to retreat, to escape the patriachy, to enjoy the company of each other," Ms Kaechele said outside the hearing in Hobart.

"I think the rejection of men is a very important part of the artwork."

NSW resident Jason Lau made a complaint to the Equal Opportunity Commissioner after he was denied entry to the exhibition in April 2023.

Appearing via video link to the hearing in Hobart on March 19, Mr Lau said he had not been informed that his $35 ticket would not allow him to enter that part of the museum.

MONA has not denied that entry to the exhibition is discriminatory. It argues instead that the discrimination is necessary to give the artwork its meaning.

"I side with Mr Lau and acknowledge that his description of loss is indeed substantial," Ms Kaechele said in her witness statement.

"I agree that the discrimination results in a real detriment. He doesn't get to experience what's in there."

Lawyers for the museum have rejected Mr Lau's suggestion that the exhibition should change its ticketing system or include a men's only section to compensate.

Ms Kaechele and her supporters cited section 26 of the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Act which allows for discrimination if it promotes opportunities for an otherwise disadvantaged group.

Ms Kaechele left the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal with a group of supporters dressed in navy blue and dancing out to the tune of Robert Palmer's 'Simply Irresistible'.

"The hearing really felt like the art coming to life, it was a living part of the work," said Ms Kaechele.

The tribunal will hand down its decision at a later date, but the artist has indicated she will be taking the matter to the Supreme Court if the decision is not in MONA's favour.