Philosophy:
Snell’s philosophy and approach to art are deeply rooted in exploring the complexities of the human experience, inviting viewers to engage with both the personal and the universal. By delving into the inner worlds of individuals and connecting them to broader societal and cultural narratives, her work becomes a mirror that reflects not only individual experiences but also collective ones. Expressing our shared humanity in her sculpture and paintings, Snell creates a space for the viewer to confront societal assumptions, offering an alternative narrative that empowers the subjects of her work.
Diana - Bronze 2024
$ 7900 Limited Edition 2/2
40H x 26W x 25D cm Bronze
16 H x 20W x 20 Black Granite
This sculpture was part of the initial collection for the Herstory thesis in 2018, a body of work dedicated to amplifying the female gaze and celebrating women’s diversity and life trajectories. The model, a close friend of the artist, brought her powerful story as a mother and a refugee from Sudan, contributing her voice to the Herstory narrative of empowerment.
Balance is a recurring theme in Ann Snell’s sculptures and compositions, symbolizing humanity’s fragility and impermanence. Through this work, Snell masterfully conveys the delicate equilibrium of strength and vulnerability, both in the individual and the collective human experience.
Bather
SOLD 2024 Edition 1/1
18H x 8W x 8D cm Bronze
10 H x 8W x 6D cm Marble
This exquisite bronze sculpture, rendered in Ann’s signature textured style, depicts a seated woman caught in a moment of surprise. Her delicate facial expression and dynamic pose convey a sense of vulnerability and strength, drawing the viewer into the intimacy of the scene.
The subject, Bather, holds a significant place in art history, traditionally interpreted through the male gaze as a muse or object of beauty. By reimagining the Bather in her figurative collection, Ann deliberately references the historical canon while reclaiming the narrative. Her work offers a fresh perspective through the female gaze, bridging past traditions with the evolving dialogue of contemporary art.
Her Balance
Bronze, Herstory 2018, 20H x 12W x 12D cm
SOLD
This sculpture was part of the body of work for the Herstory thesis, a series that has since been acquired by private collectors.
With its teetering balance and flexed hands, the sculpture conveys a sense of urgency, heightened by the expressive and raw style of its application. Balance, a recurring theme in Ann Snell's work, serves as a metaphor for humanity’s fragility and the impermanence of existence.
Through this piece, Snell masterfully captures the delicate interplay between stability and vulnerability, offering a poignant reflection on the human condition and the tension inherent in navigating life’s uncertainties.
her watch
Bronze, Herstory 2018 10H x 22W x 11D cm
SOLD
This sculpture was part of the initial body of work for my Herstory thesis. All sculptures in this series are in private collections.
Siblings
Bronze, Herstory 2018,
11H x 8W x 8D cm and 11H x 8W x 5D cm
SOLD
These sculptures were part of the initial body of work for my Herstory thesis. All sculptures in this series are in private collections.
Diana
Herstory 2018,
SOLD
40H x 26W x 25D cm Plaster, Paint
27H x 16W x 18D cm Sandstone
This sculpture was part of the initial body of work for my Herstory thesis. Diana has been commissioned to be cast in Bronze by a Private collector.
Balance is an ongoing theme in my sculptures and compositions. Balance symbolizes humanity’s fragility and impermanence.
EARTH MOTHER
Oil on Canvas, 127 x 201 cm, Herstory Series 2024
$2900
This artwork portrays ancestral women whose stories have been largely overlooked in history. The composition, viewed from an aerial perspective, is versatile and can be displayed either vertically or horizontally. The figures are arranged in a vulva-like form, symbolizing the Earth Mother—a universal theology embraced by First Nations cultures and many others worldwide.
Through this piece, Ann Snell highlights the significance of the female gaze in shaping theology and reclaiming its place in our historical narrative. The work is a powerful celebration of women's interconnectedness with the earth and their enduring influence across cultures and time.
seated angels
152 x 122 cm, oil on Canvas, Herstory, 2023
$2400
This artwork depicts godlike angels—a male of African descent and a female—seated as equals, embodying balance and shared purpose. Their eagle-like wings drape around them, creating an aura of solemnity and resilience, as if weary from witnessing the desperate souls below.
Ann Snell employs her art as a compelling tool to challenge and disrupt patriarchal influences within religious and artistic narratives. By presenting these angels as equals, she reclaims and redefines divine imagery, offering a vision of inclusivity and shared humanity that transcends traditional boundaries.
Evolving
152 x 122 cm, oil on Canvas, Herstory, 2023
$2400
This artwork was one of the foundational studies for the Herstory series, marking the beginning of Ann Snell's dedication to exploring the female gaze. It captures a deeply introspective journey, portraying a metamorphic transition from youth to midlife and ultimately to a spirit-like form.
The weightless self-portrait exudes an ethereal quality, embodying a sense of timelessness and transcendence.
she is with us
152 x 122 cm, oil on Canvas, Herstory, 2023
Not for Sale
This painting serves as a profound introspection, offering a glimpse into Ann Snell's inner world. She playfully depicts herself in an embryonic state of weightlessness, embodying a sense of vulnerability and renewal.
Accompanying her is a nymph, a spirit-like witness to her thoughts and actions, adding an ethereal dimension to the composition. Together, they create an autobiographical and otherworldly portrayal of Snell's existence on Earth—a delicate balance of self-awareness and transcendence.
Lord is a lady
152 x 122 cm, oil on Canvas, Herstory, 2018
$2400
This narrative challenges the depiction of women in religious theology, as having a submissive role in their sexuality, the incubator of creation.
The layered composition suggests an evolution. The embryonic emergence from the black. The sensual and unapologetic nature of the female is intentionally shedding historical shame as the undercurrent while retaining a female softness.
The fluid representation of time on one canvas is an influence from Indigenous art.
METAMORPHOSE
152 x 122 cm, oil on Canvas, Herstory, 2023
$2400
Metamorphose is a response to how we adapt to changes beyond our control. Inspired by individuals and the natural world.
The Herstory series is primarily a binding of humanity, and oneness, from the female gaze.
Visceral red
200 x 122 cm, oil on Canvas, Herstory, 2023
NFS
This autobiographical painting captures the essence of strength and resilience amid turmoil, presented in a striking two-meter vertical format. The central figure is a poignant representation of vulnerability and perseverance, balancing delicately in a tumultuous environment despite hostile circumstances.
Exhibited in Newcastle Regional Gallery and esteemed Sydney galleries, this artwork invites audiences to reflect on their own experiences of resilience and the human spirit’s ability to endure, adapt, and overcome. Its imposing scale and evocative presence demand attention, making it a powerful statement on the interplay between fragility and inner strength.
Diana
Mixed media on Paper Framed, 90 x 75 cm 2017
$690
This artwork was one of the initial studies for the Herstory series, Snell's dedication to the female gaze extends to her mission of championing the diversity and trajectories of women.
Through her work, Snell challenges the one-dimensional portrayals of women that have historically dominated art.
by her grace
152 x 122 cm, oil on Canvas, Herstory, 2018
NFS
With permission, Snell portrayed the subject from her community highlighted in orange hues, and her ancestral mothers who were survivors of slavery, and violence living with intergenerational trauma from the colonisation of Mauritius.
By Her Grace, was titled because all the mothers lived for the betterment of their children.
This artwork was one of the initial studies for the Herstory series, Snell's dedication to the female gaze, championing diversity and trajectories of women’s stories untold.
Madonna
152 x 122 cm, oil on Canvas, Herstory, 2023
SOLD
This painting responds to religious creation stories, particularly those featuring the Madonna and Child. A reinterpretation of these traditional narratives from a non-patriarchal perspective.
Snell promotes a female gaze and representation in theology for our history.
Heart Led
90 x 90 cm, oil on Canvas, Herstory 2018,
Donated
This artwork is a poignant response to the process of mourning, a deeply emotional experience shared by those who have loved and lost. It resonates with themes expressed by poets, musicians, and artists alike—exploring the emotional depths of grief and the intricate ties of love and loss. The work honors the privilege of experiencing such profound connections, acknowledging the deep bond between individuals and the shared vulnerability of human emotion.
Donated to the Calvary Mater Hospital in Newcastle, NSW, the piece serves as both a comforting tribute and a reminder of the strength and resilience in the face of grief.
Quiet man
Mixed media on Paper, framed. 90 x 75cm 2017
NFS
This artwork marks one of the initial studies for Herstory, Snell's ongoing exploration and dedication to the female gaze. In this piece, Snell deepens her mission of championing diversity, with a focus on the nuanced complexities of human relationships and the multifaceted nature of identity.
The painting centers on Snell's former husband, capturing a brief moment that, while intimate, feels muted or subdued, as implied by the title. This subtle yet significant portrayal suggests a quiet, introspective state, with the subject appearing distant, almost as if disconnected from the world around him.
Painted Lady
Existential Butterflies Oil on Paper Framed
SOLD
A wishful meditation on beauty, innocence, and the metaphor of our earthly existence. Transcending boundaries and binding theologies.
BIDI BDI 200 x 122 cm, oil on Canvas, Herstory, 2019
Donated
The vibrant colours and fragmented, metaphoric composition of this work symbolize the complexity and depth of the person depicted. Each brushstroke and hue reflects the richness of his life—filled with passion, experience, and an enduring legacy. The fragmented nature of the composition speaks to the interconnectedness of his experiences, relationships, and the many facets of his identity, now scattered but ever-present in the memories of those he touched.
This artwork is attributed to a man who lived a full and abundant life, each colour and shape echoing the vitality with which he embraced the world. The use of colour in varying intensities serves as a visual metaphor for the emotional spectrum he shared with his loved ones.
Grass Dart
Existential Butterflies, Oil on Paper Framed, 2019
SOLD
A wishful meditation on beauty, innocence, and the metaphor of our earthly existence. Transcending boundaries and binding theologies.
trust
SOLD
152 x 122 cm, oil on Canvas, Herstory, 2018
This painting forms part of the initial body of work for Herstory, a thesis-driven exploration aimed at shifting the traditionally male-dominated narrative in art history. With an intentional focus on the female gaze, Snell sought to create depictions that challenge the conventional portrayal of humanity's creation, intimacy, and eroticism. In doing so, the artist aimed to shed light on female sensuality and intimacy, breaking free from the historical shame imposed on these expressions.
The entwined figures in the piece emerge from the blackness, symbolizing an embryonic unity, where life and sensuality are born from darkness into light. The painting’s fluidity and interconnection between the figures invite viewers to experience an unapologetic participation in intimacy, celebrating the rawness of feminine power and vulnerability.
Blue Agrus
Existential Butterflies, Oil on Paper Framed, 2019
SOLD
A wishful meditation on beauty, innocence, and the metaphor of our earthly existence. Transcending boundaries and binding theologies.
Humanity
Mixed media on Paper, framed. 87 x 81cm, 1995
NFS
This mixed media study, created by Ann Snell at the age of 17, marks a pivotal moment in the artist’s early exploration of human experience, a theme that remains central to her art practice. Even at a young age, Snell’s sensitivity and keen observation allowed her to capture emotional depth in her portraits, setting the foundation for her future work.
This early artwork reflects Snell’s ability to infuse her work with a raw, emotive power, foreshadowing her future exploration of vulnerability, connection, and identity. Even in her youth, she demonstrated a natural talent for creating emotionally charged works that resonate deeply with viewers, laying the groundwork for the larger themes of her later practice.