The National Gallery of Australia has followed in the footsteps of other major cultural institutions around the world in launching its #KnowMyName campaign, a call for equal power, respect and recognition for women artists. Harnessing social media as well exhibitions, research and creative collaborations, the Gallery seeks to recognise and celebrate Australian women artists in a bid to shine a light on their continued lack of representation.

T-shirts created for the National Gallery of Australia’s #KnowMyName campaign

The #KnowMyName campaign has its antecedents in work undertaken by Washington’s National Museum for Women in the Arts, which since 2016 has asked members of the public on social media to name five women artists, calling attention to their ongoing marginalisation. The NGA has launched its own campaign by asking the public to share stories of female creators on social media with the hashtag #knowmyname and with Art Girl Rising has created a range of t-shirts with the names of Australian women artists emblazoned on the front.

“It is time to meet Australia’s culture makers, hear their stories, see their art and know their names,” said Alison Wright, Assistant Director of the NGA. “Women have been shaping...