Julianne Pierce is a founding member of influential cyberfeminist art group VNS Matrix and has created artworks under her own name and performances as alter ego Madame Ivana.
VNS Matrix – 24th Biennale of Sydney
VNS Matrix was invited by Cosmin Costinaș and Inti Guerrero, Artistic Directors to present a series of re-imagined works from the 1990s. With the theme of Ten Thousand Suns the 24th Biennale of Sydney in 2024 showcased the visionary creations of leading artists from diverse corners of the globe. The work of VNS Matrix included 6 large-scale banners, audio, video and a give-away poster of A Cyberfeminist Manifesto for the 21st Century presented at the White Bay Power Station from 9 March-10 June 2024.
Photograph: Document Photography
Wear the Light
Utilising recycled fabrics, pre-loved clothing, solar powered batteries and lighting sources ‘Wear the Light’ is experiential and surprising, with a focus on public art and engagement, audience interaction, immersion and temporary pop-up spaces. It is a new collaborative project commenced in 2021 by South Australian practitioners Margie Medlin and Julianne Pierce.
Vodka Shot Vaccine Disco
A tongue in cheek performance presented by Madame Ivana. Audience members were offered Vodka Shot Vaccines then immunity tested with ball games and synchronised dancing. Held on 7 November 2021 for the exhibition I’ve never seen the sky like this before. Curated by Bronia Iwanczak at south west contemporary gallery, Adelaide.
VNS Matrix
VNS MATRIX is an artist collective founded in Adelaide, Australia, in 1991, by Josephine Starrs, Julianne Pierce, Francesca da Rimini and Virginia Barratt. Their work includes gallery installations, public artworks, events, lectures, performances and posters distributed through physical and online spaces. Visit the VNS Matrix website.
Julia President 2020
Poster created for the exhibition Notes Towards a Feminist Archive, curated by Bronia Iwanczak and Lynne Barwick, Affiliated Text at Cross Art, Books, Sydney. Affiliated Text invited fifty-five artists to respond to the broad theme of Future Feminist Archives. Further details on the exhibition website here.
Your City is Ugly
In 2001 Adelaide Festival Director Peter Sellars proclaimed “Your City is Ugly”. Taking up the challenge, Madame Ivana and collaborators took audiences on a bus ride through the streets of the city to find the dark heart of Adelaide. Sell out hit of the 2002 Adelaide Fringe. Read Pamela Zeplin’s review Festival city’s tour of shame in Realtime.
Julianne Pierce 