‘Beautiful Wickedness’ is the most significant exhibition of work by celebrated Australian artist eX de Medici yet staged. The survey examines the artist’s central concerns, including the fragility of life, global affairs, greed and commerce, and the universal themes of power, conflict, and death.

Exhibition highlights include de Medici’s intricate botanical studies, dazzling large-scale watercolours and Shotgun Wedding Dress/Cleave 2015, a bridal gown based on Julie Andrews’s dress from The Sound of Music. Through these wide-ranging subjects and materials, de Medici aims to seduce her viewers, and to shake them out of complacency.

‘Beautiful Wickedness’ featured works on loan, as well as works from the QAGOMA Collection (listed below).

‘eX de Medici: Beautiful Wickedness’ was on display in GOMA’s Galleries 1.1 (The Fairfax Gallery) and 1.2 from 24 June to 2 October 2023. This exhibition offers opportunities for dialogue with ‘Michael Zavros: The Favourite’ presented in the adjacent gallery at GOMA.

Feature image: eX de Medici’s Red (Colony) 1999–2000 (Collection: Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery) and Blue (Bower/Bauer) 1998–2000 (Collection: National Gallery of Australia, Canberra), installed for ‘The Favourite’, GOMA, August 2023 / © eX de Medici / Photograph: C Baxter, QAGOMA