The recent publication of Lip magazine’s fifth number* represents the continuing contribution of feminism to Australian art and criticism. Lip‘s aims remain, according to its latest editorial, the support and promotion of women as ‘art workers’ and the provision of ‘constructive, critical discussion’ with special emphasis on the ‘relationship of feminism and art practice’.

Lip‘s initial appearance in 1976 was generated among considerable commitment and excitement and perhaps also a naïve optimism. Its funds were donated and raised in a grass-roots fashion (stalls, sales &c.) and contributions were solicited from members of the Women’s Film Festival, Women’s Art Register, the Women’s Theatre Group, individual media workers, sociologists and others. From the outset, Lip was an alternative publication, non- or low-profit-making and aimed directly at a counter-culture of feminists, artists, students and liberal practitioners in the social sciences. This granted Lip its initial cutting edge and it was not until 1978 — after its second number — that it received assistance from the Australia Council.