During the 1940's and 50's a emergence of strong female artistic influence can be seen using the examples of Joy Hester and Frida Kahlo. While Kahlo was recognised during her life as a brilliant independent artist for her ground-breakingly personal style, Hester was not. It was only after her death in 1960 that her art was truly celebrated in Australian exhibitions.

Hester and Kahlo both attended art schools through the 1920's and 30's; because of this they share many of the same basic artistic influences. Surrealism played a big part in the development of their art, especially in Kahlo's works that are often associated with surrealism. Expressionism was another influence they shared but it played less of a role in their art as it only began development in the 1950's. Both of these movements and those preceding them were male dominated and as such...