Mona’s Ladies Lounge to return for the first time since verdict

Mona’s Ladies Lounge will be hosting a victory celebration as its set to reopen to the public for the first time since lengthy court proceedings — but it won’t be around for long.

Kirsha Kaechele at the Ladies Lounge. The Ladies Lounge at MONA is reopening. Picture: Jesse Hunniford/MONA

Mona’s Ladies Lounge will reopen for a last hurrah next week after the subversive museum’s “first lady” Kirsha Kaechele won a legal battle against a disgruntled male patron who was refused entry to the venue because of his gender.

The space will open its doors again for a period of one month - from December 19 until January 13.

Kaechele, an artist who is married to Mona owner and founder David Walsh, said guests would be waited on by butlers and served champagne. There will also be specially commissioned artworks on display, as well as exclusive performances.

Kirsha Kaechele at the Ladies Lounge. The Ladies Lounge at MONA is reopening. Picture: Jesse Hunniford/MONA

Kirsha Kaechele in the Ladies Lounge. The Ladies Lounge at MONA is reopening. Picture: Jesse Hunniford/MONA

“The physical expression of the Ladies Lounge at Mona is coming to an end, but the Ladies Lounge is a living artwork. It could appear anywhere at any time, especially in centres of male power,” Kaechele said.

The Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (TASCAT) ordered the women’s only lounge, which is curated by Kaechele, to allow entry to men following a discrimination complaint by New South Wales man Jason Lau, who argued he was unlawfully barred from the venue.

TASCAT agreed with Lau and ruled that Mona had engaged in direct discrimination.

Kaechele appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, which overturned the tribunal’s decision in September, saying it had mischaracterised “what the Ladies Lounge was designed to promote and how that was intended to be achieved”.

Lau has the option of appealing the Supreme Court’s finding.

Kaechele said the legal stoush had catapulted the Ladies Lounge to new heights, enabling it to “come to life”.

“People from all over the world have been invited to contemplate the experiences of women throughout history and today. It is time to celebrate in the place where it all began - with the dedicated adoration of our butlers and copious amounts of champagne to toast this incredible chapter,” she said.

While men are not allowed entry to the reopened space, they can apply to serve as butlers through a ballot via Mona’s app The O.

Together with The Raconteur, Kaechele has also developed a fragrance to commemorate the court victory, calling it The Verdict. It gives off notes of florals, citrus, and spice and will be available for purchase at Mona when the lounge reopens.

Entry to the Ladies Lounge will be included as part of the museum entry ticket for women.