Hair Pieces explores the cultural and symbolic importance of hair through contemporary Australian and international art.
Few subjects encapsulate the interplay of the corporeal, personal and political as powerfully as hair. Throughout history, our locks have carried deep significance, conveying ideas about gender, mythology, status, power, psychology, feminism and beauty. At once radiant and repellent, hair holds a unique place in relation to self, history, and society.
Edited by Melissa Keys, the book features may diverse practices including drawing, painting, performance, photography and installation. It reveals interwoven dialogues on identity, spirituality, agency and resistance. With artworks by artists such as Marina Abramović, Janine Antoni, Sonia Boyce, Mona Hatoum and Ai Yamaguchi, alongside texts by Santilla Chingaipe, Justin Clemens, Lisa Gorton, Melissa Keys and SJ Norman, Hair Pieces is a compelling exploration of hair’s enduring cultural resonance.
Perimeter Editions, 144pp, 15cm x 24cm, illustrated paperback, 2025