Photographer Petrina Hicks (b. 1972) crafts pristine portraits rich with mythological symbolism. The surreal compositions introduce allegorical props such as fruits, birds, flowers and snakes – drawing on historical representations of women.
© Petrina Hicks, courtesy Michael Reid Gallery
The images create a visual tension between notions of beauty and danger, familiarity and strangeness. Subverting the language of advertising, the crisp works shatter illusions and question archetypes.
Hicks’ images are on view in Bleached Gothic at National Gallery of Victoria. Opens 27 September. Find out more here.
Lead image: Petrina Hicks, Bruised Peaches and Velvet, 2018. From the Still Life Studio series, 2018. © Petrina Hicks, courtesy Michael Reid Gallery
