Tasmania's museum hangs Picassos in women's toilet in response to court ruling

In a surprising move, Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) has relocated part of its art collection, including Picasso paintings, to a women's toilet. This decision comes after a court ruling mandated the museum to admit men to a female-only exhibition space.

Kirsha Kaechele, the wife of Mona’s billionaire owner David Walsh, shared a video on social media showing at least two paintings by Picasso displayed in a toilet. Previously, these artworks were part of the museum’s Ladies Lounge, a women-only area established by Kaechele. This space was meant to reflect men’s experiences of exclusion, forming part of the artist’s intent.

However, in April, the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Tascat) ruled that the Ladies Lounge was discriminatory. This decision followed a complaint by Jason Lau, a man who was denied entry in 2023. The tribunal gave the museum 28 days to stop denying entry to the Ladies Lounge based on gender, leading to the lounge's closure.

On Monday, Kaechele posted a video online, announcing a "new exhibition at Mona, just for ladies..." She noted that before the tribunal's ruling, all toilets at Mona were unisex. “But then the Ladies Lounge had to close thanks to a lawsuit brought on by a man,” she said, adding that she was unsure what to do with the Picassos.

Kaechele suggested that the museum might reclassify the Ladies Lounge as a church, school, or boutique glamping accommodation under section 26 of Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Act. This section allows for gender-based access restrictions under specific circumstances.

The Ladies Lounge, which opened in 2020, offered a unique experience where women were pampered by male butlers and served champagne amidst some of the museum’s finest art. Kaechele expressed her delight in March when the case reached the tribunal, emphasising that men’s rejection from the lounge was, in itself, an artistic statement.

Kaechele announced on May 7 that the museum would appeal the tribunal's decision in the Supreme Court, arguing that the tribunal did not fully consider the historical and ongoing societal disadvantages faced by women. She believes the Ladies Lounge promotes equal opportunity by highlighting these issues.

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