TO whoops and cheers, the director of the National Gallery of Australia, Nick Mitzevich, this morning presided over what he said was the gallery’s first public press conference this year.

Mitzevich was on fire as he spoke of the serendipity which saw the exhibition “Know My Name: Australian Women Artists 1900 to Now” open during NAIDOC week. A celebration of the work of Australian women artists, it opens tomorrow, Saturday, November 14.

On hand for a double welcome to country were Ngambri-Ngunnawal elder Matilda House and artist Brenda L Croft, whose portrait of House, recently acquired by the NGA, is one of many adorning the wall at the entrance to the show.

Paraphrasing US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, House told those present how she felt proud to be one of the “Strong coloured women, as the Americans say”. She said that surrounded by works of art, she thought of the Aboriginals Torres Strait Islander women who had gone before.

One of the biggest ever displays of art by Australian women, the exhibition will be divided into two parts to showcase more than 400 works by around 170 artists.

The “Know My Name” initiative was launched last year after research revealed that only 25 per cent of its Australian art collection was by women, prompting the Gallery to examine its collection, consider practices and review the role it plays in recognising all artists.

Co-curators Deborah Hart and Elspeth Pitt say their aim was to make the art of women better known in the wider community and counter the dominance of an art history that prioritised men.

“We are really here for the artists,” Hart said, praising Mitzevich opening up the spaces to a show like this after previously tokenistic representation of women who were, Hart said,  “Every bit as good as men and always have been. We could have done this exhibition five times over”.

Themes in “Know My Name” include images of women by women, country and environmental consciousness, dynamism and abstraction, feminism and matrilineal connections.

The exhibition is accompanied by a conference and the huge “Know My Name” book, which delves into the histories and inspirations of a cross-section of Australian women artists, including many featured in the exhibition.

“Know My Name: Australian Women Artists 1900 to Now” Part 1, National Gallery of Australia, 10am-5pm daily, excluding Christmas Day, from November 14-July 4. Part 2 opens in July next year. Entry free.

“Know My Name” virtual opening tonight, 6pm, Friday, November 13, here.