Margaret Clark Exhibition - Vintage & Art Deco

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Friday, 16th October 2015
10:00am till 4:30pm

The Greater Springfield Art Gallery , Augustine Heights
Queensland

Author

Visit: Event Website
Call: Vivien Kells on 0401089918.
Email: Vivien Kells at federationfairies@bigpond.com.

Cost: FREE

Available at the Venue:
Public Toilets,

First time a collection of vintage art deco illustrations by Margaret Clark on display in Queensland. Exquisite & unique style of a favorite subject - Fairies.

Australian Fantasy illustrator Margaret Clark was a contributor to the first edition of the Steel Rudd Magazine produced in Toowoomba. After such an interesting career, mystery surrounds her decision not to continue painting. Her great niece has embarked on a mission to show as many examples of her work to a new generation. them. Vivien Kells is compiling a biography to accompany with the illustrations. Little is known about this very private and wonderful lady. Margaret was one of six children and born in Plattsburg near Newcastle in NSW in the year of Australia's federation. We have formed Federation Fairies to collect and preserve these illustralions which are coloured pen, ink and gouache drawings on paper. All the illustrations at the exhibition are between 85 and 100 years old. A chance purchase on eBay has lead her niece on a great adventure of meeting people who have owned a painting since childhood, meeting long forgotten and distant relatives. Uncovering the Margaret Clark story has been an interesting one and the release of the book FEDERATION FAIRIES - A tribute to Margaret Clark will be a culmination of many hours of work. Margaret had 5 works exhibited at the Society of Woman Artists Annual Exhibition (Sydney) in 1924. May Gibbs and Margaret Preston were also exhibitors at this prestigious event . Articles in the 1926 Sydney Morning Herald were glowing in their praise of Margaret's work. Her first solo exhibition which was opened by a Vaudeville Actress, Elsie Prince, the star of "No No Nanette" as a total success. All 23 illustrations were sold at considerable prices for the day. Several Margaret Cla illustrations are in the United States, United Kingdom and France as well as every state in Australia. Many people have followed the journey of Federation Fairies through the Facebook and Pinterest and it is amazing that people as far away as Spain, France, England and Ohio have purchased the little book THE MAGIC BALLOON by Vivien Kells which was inspired by the illustration purchased at an auction in Sydney. Keeping an eye on Art Galleries and Auction Houses for works not previously seen by any of Margaret's family who are alive today has been an exhaustive effort - but a pleasant one. Margaret's sons are 83 and 79 and have been thrilled to see so much interest in their mother's work. In September 2013, a website was set up to market Limited Edition Prints by Margaret Clark. Many people have contacted Federation Fairies to tell of their own collections. A gentleman in Sydney has four in his collection - they are all beautifully and lovingly cared for. Acclaimed author Robert Holden organised a solo exhibition of Margaret Clark illustrations back in 1986 in Sydney. Nine of her illustrations were procured for the James Hardie Library which when disbanded passed these to the Mitchell Library in Sydney NSW. These unique and exquisitely detailed drawings delight people of all ages. Entrance is Free.

person attending

Address:

The Greater Springfield Art Gallery

Unit 9 / 21 Technology Drive, Augustine Heights, Queensland, 4300, Australia

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