Ava 

Sofia Bonati created 'Ava' with pencil and watercolour in the 20th century. In this work, the pale-skinned figure blends the human with the animal. Bonati's art is steeped in the visual codes of fashion illustration and fantasy art, but this piece uses these codes to comment on the objectification of women. The woman looks away, while the parrot sits comfortably on her shoulder. This suggests a narrative about a woman who is not interested in being looked at, and the artist seems to question the male gaze in contemporary image culture. 'Ava' prompts us to explore the politics of imagery in the late 20th century, particularly regarding the female form. Research into feminist art criticism, fashion history, and the institutional critique of museums and galleries, will help in understanding the nuances of this artwork.