Watch the full video recording of the lecture below.

Video filmed by Nathan Blundell.

New Zealand has a long history of powerful women and empowering women. With three female prime ministers, several female Governors-General, and Queen Elizabeth II as our Head of State, New Zealand has been led and represented by women. While the conventions of portraying leaders are well established, these are based on concepts and depictions of male power dating back to antiquity. Female monarchs and leaders have had to negotiate this tradition.  On the one hand, they need to legitimize their power through an accepted language of power-portraiture, but also need to present themselves as women. From 'power suits' to symbolic jewellery, lipstick to haircuts, these details of a portrait of a woman in power are all carefully choreographed and scrutinized. This presentation asks how portraits of New Zealand's female leaders have engaged in this dynamic, taking in painted and photographic portraits, high art and campaign images, both official and informal. Considering the Commonwealth connections and portrait legacy of English female monarchs, the lecture will discuss portraits of British queens and prime ministers including Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher and underscore the distinctive features of portraits of New Zealand's female leaders from Dame Catherine Tizard to Jacinda Ardern.