'Accidental feminists' explore female identity in Gallery's latest showcase

FEM-aFFINITY - an exhibition that explores female identity - is now showing at Noosa Regional Gallery.

It's a partnership of creative social enterprise Arts Project Australia and National Exhibitions Touring Support (NETS) Victoria.

"It is the pairing of abled, contemporary female Australian artists with their contemporaries at Arts Project Australia that really sets FEM-aFFINITY apart from other female-led exhibitions," Noosa Regional Gallery Director Michael Brennan says.

Arts Project Australia supports artists with intellectual disabilities, promotes their work and advocates for their inclusion in contemporary art practice.

Arts Project Australia's Sim Luttin describes the 14 artists who've collaborated to produce the FEM-aFFINITY exhibition as "accidental feminists".

"Accidental feminists aren't deliberately creating work within a traditional feminist canon," she says.

"They lead by example and have an impact on others by doing."

"At the heart of FEM-aFFINITY is the notion that as women develop meaningful and critically engaging careers in the arts, they are 'doing' feminism," Brennan adds.

"The 14 artists in FEM-aFFINITY are all positively forging unique careers in the arts."

The exhibition, curated by Associate Professor Catherine Bell, celebrates collaboration.

"By moving the discussion away from disability, FEM-aFFINITY champions the vibrancy and inclusiveness of the arts - the recognition that difference is something to celebrate and not isolate."

All 14 artists share an affinity of subject matter, technique and process.

The artists include Fulli Andrinopoulos, Dorothy Berry, Yvette Coppersmith, Wendy Dawson, Prudence Flint, Helga Groves, Bronwyn Hack, Janelle Low, Eden Menta, Jill Orr, Lisa Reid, Heather Shimmen, Cathy Staughton and Jane Trengove.

Entry to the exhibition is free. Visit the Gallery's website