Blue Tie Kings

Description

Blue Tie Kings explores the symbols of authority and the entrenched power structures of Australian politics. At its centre is a deep blue necktie, a familiar feature of traditional male political dress. Curled at the top and marked with an embroidered white crown, the tie becomes more than an item of clothing: it is a symbol of status, privilege and the assumption of power.

The work was inspired by the political atmosphere surrounding former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s 2012 misogyny speech, delivered in Parliament during a debate over a motion of no confidence in Speaker Peter Slipper. Gillard’s forceful response to opposition leader Tony Abbott became a defining moment in the public conversation about sexism, gender and the treatment of women in Australian politics.

Against this historical backdrop, the blue tie represents a familiar image of political authority — a visual shorthand for the men who have traditionally occupied positions of power. The crown introduces another layer of meaning, suggesting entitlement, hierarchy and the expectation of deference. Together, these symbols raise questions about who is permitted to wield authority, how that authority is maintained, and whose voices are marginalised within established institutions.

The work’s restrained composition places emphasis on the object itself. Removed from the body and isolated against a white background, the tie becomes a symbol open to scrutiny. Its apparent simplicity contrasts with the complex social and political structures it represents.

Through this minimal yet pointed imagery, Rose Marinelli examines the relationship between gender, privilege and institutional power. Blue Tie Kings invites viewers to consider how authority is communicated through familiar symbols — and what happens when the assumptions behind those symbols are challenged.