Red sky at night, shepherd's delight is an online exclusive show presenting the most recent works of the Austrian artist Melanie Thöni. The title directly indicates that the subject matter relates to Austrian cultural heritage and the Tyrolean tradition. Thöni comes from Zams, a village in west Tyrol. It is her childhood memories, her upbringing, the local customs, and societal norms that inspire her work. Life in Tyrol comes with a strong tradition and assigned gender roles, which the artist deliberately confronts in her work. Thöni vibrant paintings depict female characters in mountain settings, often occupying a role or function that would ‘by tradition’ be assigned to men. The artist questions: what role does the woman play in this society? How are gender roles defined? How is the Tylorean tradition looking now? Is it all a myth?
