During research, we often come across a woman in history who made an impression, left their mark, or was way ahead of their time. i often think how much I would love to talk with them to find out how they tackled the clear adversity they would have faced in a far more oppressed time.
This week’s inspirational woman comes to us from the art world. Margaret Preston (1875-1963) was a talented lecturer, educator and essay writer, but is best known for her contribution to Australian art. Margaret’s woodblock prints of Australian flowers, Sydney Harbour and foreshore are some of the most evocative of the period between the wars. After travelling and studying in Europe she returned to Sydney in 1920 keen to create uniquely Australian images. She combined her love of woodblock printing and Japanese art with Australian wildflowers and native birds and animals using banksias, gum blossoms, Waratahs and wildflowers in some of her best known prints. She was passionate about Aboriginal art and their spiritual tie to the Australian landscape.
In 1929 she became the first Australian female artist to be commissioned by the Art Gallery of NSW to paint a self portrait and she was awarded a silver medal at the Paris International Exhibition in 1937.
Much of her artwork is exhibited in major galleries around the country and she remains one of Australia’s most popular artists.
Fiona Donnelly from Telopea Services
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
