In 1979, after the release of My Brilliant Career, Gillian was the first woman in 39 years to direct an Australian feature film. Since then, her career has consistently been analysed through a gender lens – part due to being a ‘female’ director (a prefix not bestowed upon male directors) and part due to her multiple female protagonists. These protagonists are commonly labelled as ‘strong female leads’, a description Gillian widely rejects, insisting her focus remains on representing complex characters. ‘Strong’ may be a descriptor intended to give power and affirmation to these characters, but it also seems to suggest women must be rebellious in nature if they dare show any independence of thought – downplaying a complex, intersectional and human existence.
In painting Gillian I wanted to represent the complexity of self beyond gender but at the same time be sympathetic to it. As she sat in front of me I felt her focussed power, her wit, her wisdom, her warmth, her intellect and determination, her sensitivity and her kindness.
I hope in the varying textures, in the light and shade of the paint application and in the fine detail you feel her aura and see a glimmer of her many diverse and extraordinary attributes. A true leader.
A Strong Lead ‘2019’
