Women artists look to redefine the modern muse in new exhibition

Two women artists are looking to reshape the traditional definition of the artist’s muse in a new exhibition.

Painters Sikelela Owen and Gill Button will be showing work at the James Freeman Gallery in its latest exhibition Muse, a show which aims to offer a female perspective on the artistic tradition.

Responding to the historical connection between the muse’s role and the male gaze, Owen and Button are presenting works that show women through the eyes of female artists, reconstituting the muse as more than just an embodiment of idealised beauty.

While Owen takes family and friends as her subjects in very personal, candid paintings, Button looks to the fashion industry, removing fashion models from a media context and reimagining their image as intimate portraits.

Since putting her paintings on social media, Button’s work has attracted attention from the fashion world, leading to collaborations with Gucci, Dries Van Noten and Vogue.

Muse runs at James Freeman Gallery from July 13 to August 4. For more information, visit jamesfreemangallery.com