In Paradisus Terestris, Hall uses the juxtaposition of the human body and native flora to imply a collision between Culture and Nature.
Paradisus Terrestris entitled is a series of fifteen sardine cans, transformed from mundane detritus of contemporary consumption into refined aesthetic objects. The wound-down top of each tin reveals a human erogenous zone or body-part. Sprouting above these are botanically correct representations of native flora – suggestive equivalents of the anatomical details below. While these suggestive associations are often visual puns, Hall also uses the juxtaposition of the human body and native flora to imply a collision between Culture and Nature. Each component of the work bears three titles: the local Aboriginal plant name specific to the language group indicated in parentheses, the Latin (botanical) name, and the common English name.
Paradisus Terrestris entitled has art historical referents in examples of colonial decorative arts. For nineteenth-century goldsmiths and silversmiths, most of whom were European immigrants, Australian native flora and fauna provided a bizarre and diverse stock of new decorative forms. Hall’s inclusion of Aboriginal names (in consultation with indigenous peoples) in conjunction with Latin and common plant names refers to the colonial appropriation of land, and to laying claim to land through language. ‘… Entitled’ refers specifically to concepts of ownership, and situates Hall’s virtuoso suite of sardine cans squarely within the discourses of postcolonialism.
— Jason Smith, NGA
Group Show, What Does the Jukebox Dream Of?
Art Gallery of New South Wales, 2024
Fiona Hall Zero or Nothing
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2024
Group Show, The First 40 Years
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2024
Group Show, The Winter Bride
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2023
Fiona Hall Exodust - Crying Country
Museum of Old and New Art, Hobart Tasmania, 2022
Fiona Hall Afraid Cascade
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2020
Group Show, Caught Stealing
National Art School, Sydney, 2019
Fiona Hall The Hall of Service
Anzac Memorial, Sydney, 2019
Group Show, State of Play
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2017
Fiona Hall Fiona Hall: Uneasy Seasons
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, 2017
Fiona Hall Gateless Gate
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2017
Group Show, Creative Accounting
University of Queensland Art Museum, Brisbane, 2016-17
Group Show, Sappers and Shrapnel
Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, 2016-17
Group Show, The Nest
Katonah Museum of Art, New York, 2016
Fiona Hall Wrong Way Time
56th Venice Biennale, 2015
Whisper in My Mask
TarraWarra Biennial, 2014
Fiona Hall Veneer
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2014
Fiona Hall Dark Heart
Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art, 2014
Fiona Hall Big Game Hunting
Heide Museum of Modern Art, Melbourne, 2013
Fiona Hall Shot Through
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2011
Group Show, Head On Photography Festival
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2011
Group Show, True Story
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2010-11
Group Show, Lucky Town
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2008-09
Group Show, STOLEN RITUAL
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2006-07
Fiona Hall
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2005
Group Show
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2005
Fiona Hall The Art of Fiona Hall
Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, 2005
Fiona Hall Cell Culture & Leaf Litter
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2002
Group Show, Dirty Dozen
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2002
Group Show, The First 20 Years
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2002
Fiona Hall A folly for Mrs Macquarie
Royal Botanical Gardens, Sydney, 2001
Group Show, All Stars
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 2000
Fiona Hall Fieldwork
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1999
Group Show, Every other day
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1998
Fiona Hall Global Liquidity (with Nalini Malani)
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1998
Fiona Hall Fern Garden
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, 1997
Fiona Hall Slash and Burn
Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 1997
Group Show
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1997
Fiona Hall Lana H. Foil: Call of Nature
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1997
Group Show, Give A Dog A Bone
Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, 1996
Fiona Hall The Price is Right
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, 1995
Fiona Hall WORDS
Online Gallery, 1990