Margaret Preston
Australian coral flowers (detail) 1928
Gift of Andrew and Wendy Hamlin 1992
Collection: National Gallery of Australia
© Margaret Preston, 1928. Licensed by VISCOPY, Sydney, 2005
Margaret Preston in her garden at Berowra (detail) 1937
Photograph: FJ Halmarick
Courtesy: Fairfaxphotos
Margaret Preston
Australian coral flowers (detail) 1928
Gift of Andrew and Wendy Hamlin 1992
Collection: National Gallery of Australia
© Margaret Preston Estate. Licensed by Viscopy, Australia
Margaret Preston
Self portrait (detail) 1930
Gift of the artist at the request of the trustees 1930
Collection: Art Gallery of New South Wales
© Art Gallery of New South Wales
Margaret Preston: Art and Life
18 February – 1 May 2006
Admission fees apply | Gallery 4
Margaret Preston’s (1875–1963) paintings and woodblock prints are among the most popular in Australian art. Modern, cosmopolitan and intensely coloured, Preston’s images of still-life subjects and the Sydney metropolis capture a moment of extraordinary innovation in the history of Australian art. Preston was one of the country’s first serious advocates of Aboriginal art: her early appropriation, and promotion, of Aboriginal imagery has contributed to her ongoing significance. This comprehensive exhibition presents around 100 paintings and 80 prints as well as pottery, textiles and illustrative work.
The exhibition is accompanied by a fully illustrated monograph and, for the first time, a catalogue raisonné of Preston’s paintings, monotypes and ceramics (on CD-ROM), available from the Gallery Store.
More information is available on the 'Margaret Preston' exhibition website, courtesy of the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
This exhibition is presented alongside 'Grace Cossington Smith: A Retrospective Exhibition'.
Events
Viewing for teachers and lecturers
4.00–6.00pm Friday 17 March
Educators are invited to view ‘Grace Cossington Smith: A Retrospective Exhibition’ and ‘Margaret Preston: Art and Life’ with Julie Ewington, Head of Australian Art, QAG. Includes refreshments. Limited spaces and bookings required; email or telephone (07) 3840 7255.
Lecture: ‘Margaret Preston and the Australian Languages of Flowers’
10.30am Wednesday 22 March
Presented by Julie Ewington, Head of Australian Art, QAG.
Free exhibition entry — Margaret Preston & Grace Cossington Smith
Saturday 1 April 2006
The Gallery is pleased to offer free entry to ‘Margaret Preston: Art and Life’ and ‘Grace Cossington Smith: A Retrospective Exhibition’ for under 25s and tertiary students in conjunction with National Youth Week 2006. Just bring along a current ID and enjoy the exhibitions!
Artist talk series
2.00pm Saturdays 1, 22 & 29 April
In this series of themed artist talks, contemporary artists will choose a work featured in the exhibition‘Grace Cossington Smith: A Retrospective Exhibition’ or ‘Margaret Preston: Art and Life’ to discuss in relation to their own work. Artists include photographer Marian Drew. No bookings required; however, seating is limited. Lecture Theatre
Exhibition lecture
10.30am Wednesday 5 April
Presented by Deborah Edwards, Senior Curator of Australian Art, Art Gallery of New South Wales. No bookings required; however, seating is limited. Lecture Theatre
Wake up to art!
9.00am Sunday 30 April
Enjoy a talk on ‘Margaret Preston: Art and Life’ with Julie Ewington, Head of Australian Art, QAG, followed by a leisurely coffee or brunch at the Watermall Cafe. Exhibition admission fees apply and bookings required; email or telephone (07) 3840 7278 during office hours.
Admission
Tickets are for entry to both ‘Margaret Preston: Art and Life’ and ‘Grace Cossington Smith: A Retrospective Exhibition’
Adults: $10
Concessions: $8
Booked student groups and children 13–17 years: $5
Children 12 & under: Free
Last tickets sales: 4.15pm
Exhibitions close: 4.45pm
An exhibition organised by the Art Gallery of New South Wales
