LIONFISH

The photographs explore a dynamic interplay of color and contrast, forming their own aesthetic language of female power.  …read more

In this underwater photography project, the lionfish takes center stage, chosen for its fiery, almost untamed appearance, which stands in striking contrast to the cool, fluid environment of water. This tension mirrors a duality within ourselves: intensity and calm, strength and vulnerability coexisting beneath the surface.

The work Lionfish also embodies the passion, resilience, and power women bring to the artistic field. Yet it also reaches further. Women are still frequently compelled to present their bodies to attract attention, particularly within systems shaped by the male gaze. Across museums and photographic history alike, the nude figure is overwhelmingly female. At the same time, many of the works exhibited in galleries are created and selected by men, even though a large portion of museum audiences are women. This imbalance reveals a persistent contradiction in how art is produced, curated, and consumed.

An interesting research study from Zeppelin University states that women perceive art differently than men:
“While men focus on the entertainment aspect, women state that with the exhibition visit they want to deepen their understanding of art and engage with the works both emotionally and intellectually”

The question ‘Do women have to be naked to get into the museum?’, asked by the Guerrilla Girls in the 1980s, has still not lost its relevance.

Austrian artist Lena Edlinger contributes a distinctive dimension to this project by embodying the lionfish herself. Known for her work as a painter and visual artist, she transforms into a living canvas through elaborate makeup that required constant retouching during the shoot. While her artworks bring inner depth to the surface, her performance here highlights another truth: that being a female artist demands not only creativity, but also passion, determination, courage, and endurance.