Penelope: Her Journeys

The exhibition “Penelope. Her Journeys” examines the myth of Penelope through a contemporary lens, presenting her as a subversive figure who utilised weaving as a tool for resistance and sabotage against the established order. This project aims to reverse the traditional male-centric perspective, which historically framed her as an archetype of the virtuous, patient wife, and instead foregrounds her fight for self-determination and identity.

Three contemporary artists, Gayle Chong Kwan, Stephanie Blake, and Kimiko Yoshida, provide a multifaceted interpretation of this figure, viewing her as an artist who transforms lived experience into language. In this context, the domestic space is reimagined as a site for creative affirmation and social struggle. The works on display present Penelope not as a silent guardian of the hearth, but as an active storyteller and fighter who defines her own destiny and myth. The exhibition explores how this ancient voice resonates with the experiences and roles of women and artists in contemporary society.