A seat at the table

Description

‘A seat at the table’ is a radiant interior oil painting inspired by the still life setting inspired by the late great Margaret Olley’s lively dining table. Celebrating a ‘not so still life’, this subject matter is a creative reimagining of the colour and activity that inhabited this table and her home.

This artwork honours the often-overlooked role of women in both art and life. Using vibrant colours and collected still life items, the painting reclaims the domestic table as a powerful site of connection and resilience. Traditionally a feminine space, the table becomes a canvas of visibility—each object staged, radiant in strength and dignity. Empty chairs stand in quiet defiance, calling for recognition, inclusion, and respect. This work challenges historical absence, inviting viewers to reflect on whose labour, voices, and presence have shaped our creative spaces—and who truly deserves to be seen.

This unique artwork takes still life to a whole new level and rejoices in the ‘theatre of the interior’.