‘The Art of the Japanese Package’ was an exhibition that toured to 10 Australian and 11 New Zealand public galleries in 1979 and 1980. The touring exhibition comprised 221 objects of traditional Japanese packaging which extended from ceramics, wood and paper to woven fibre containers. At the conclusion of the tour, The Japan Foundation and the Crafts Board of the Australia Council donated the vast majority of the exhibition to the Ararat Gallery for its permanent collection. Combining the natural qualities of bamboo, paper and straw with delicate craftsmanship, these unique objects express Japanese aesthetics as applied through fibre crafts. In Japan, the qualities and traits of natural materials are exploited rather than hidden. The texture of straw, the septa of bamboo are not concealed but lovingly incorporated into the whole. In 1979 Hideyuki Oka, curator of ‘The Art of the Japanese Package’ wrote: “In no way self-conscious or assertive, these wrappings have an artless and obedient air that greatly moves the modern viewer. They are whispered evidence of the Japanese ability to create beauty from the simplest products of nature. They also teach us that wisdom and feeling are especially important in packaging because these qualities, or the lack of them, are almost immediately apparent. What is the use of a package if it shows no feeling?” The descriptions of the featured objects were written by Hideyuki Oka, curator of ‘The Art of the Japanese Package’, 1979.Gift of the Japan-Australia Foundation and the Crafts Board of the Australia Council, 1981Here candied papaya from the tropical island of Okinawa is wrapped in a betel-palm leaf to create a simple but strikingly effective package. Like many of the other packages shown in this book, this one has a distinctly regional flavour and, for mainland Japanese, an exotic flavour as well. - Professor Hideyuki Oka, curator.japanese art, japanese packaging, tsutsumi, gift giving

‘The Art of the Japanese Package’ was an exhibition that toured to 10 Australian and 11 New Zealand public galleries in 1979 and 1980. The touring exhibition comprised 221 objects of traditional Japanese packaging which extended from ceramics, wood and paper to woven fibre containers. At the conclusion of the tour, The Japan Foundation and the Crafts Board of the Australia Council donated the vast majority of the exhibition to the Ararat Gallery for its permanent collection. Combining the natural qualities of bamboo, paper and straw with delicate craftsmanship, these unique objects express Japanese aesthetics as applied through fibre crafts. In Japan, the qualities and traits of natural materials are exploited rather than hidden. The texture of straw, the septa of bamboo are not concealed but lovingly incorporated into the whole. In 1979 Hideyuki Oka, curator of ‘The Art of the Japanese Package’ wrote: “In no way self-conscious or assertive, these wrappings have an artless and obedient air that greatly moves the modern viewer. They are whispered evidence of the Japanese ability to create beauty from the simplest products of nature. They also teach us that wisdom and feeling are especially important in packaging because these qualities, or the lack of them, are almost immediately apparent. What is the use of a package if it shows no feeling?” The descriptions of the featured objects were written by Hideyuki Oka, curator of ‘The Art of the Japanese Package’, 1979.Gift of the Japan-Australia Foundation and the Crafts Board of the Australia Council, 1981Here a whole dried and salted fish (a yellow tail, to be exact) has been wrapped in a sheath of straw and wound with a continuous length of straw rope. The effect is attractively rustic, and the tightly wound rope makes a pleasing pattern. When the fish is to be eaten, it is necessary only to unwind the rope part of the way, slice off as much as is needed, and then close the package by rewinding. This rope-wound yellowtail, makiburi, as the Japanese call it, is a well-known product from the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, in the Sea of Japan. - Professor Hideyuki Oka, curator.japanese art, japanese packaging, tsutsumi, gift giving

‘The Art of the Japanese Package’ was an exhibition that toured to 10 Australian and 11 New Zealand public galleries in 1979 and 1980. The touring exhibition comprised 221 objects of traditional Japanese packaging which extended from ceramics, wood and paper to woven fibre containers. At the conclusion of the tour, The Japan Foundation and the Crafts Board of the Australia Council donated the vast majority of the exhibition to the Ararat Gallery for its permanent collection. Combining the natural qualities of bamboo, paper and straw with delicate craftsmanship, these unique objects express Japanese aesthetics as applied through fibre crafts. In Japan, the qualities and traits of natural materials are exploited rather than hidden. The texture of straw, the septa of bamboo are not concealed but lovingly incorporated into the whole. In 1979 Hideyuki Oka, curator of ‘The Art of the Japanese Package’ wrote: “In no way self-conscious or assertive, these wrappings have an artless and obedient air that greatly moves the modern viewer. They are whispered evidence of the Japanese ability to create beauty from the simplest products of nature. They also teach us that wisdom and feeling are especially important in packaging because these qualities, or the lack of them, are almost immediately apparent. What is the use of a package if it shows no feeling?” The descriptions of the featured objects were written by Hideyuki Oka, curator of ‘The Art of the Japanese Package’, 1979.Gift of the Japan-Australia Foundation and the Crafts Board of the Australia Council, 1981japanese art, japanese packaging, tsutsumi, gift giving

‘The Art of the Japanese Package’ was an exhibition that toured to 10 Australian and 11 New Zealand public galleries in 1979 and 1980. The touring exhibition comprised 221 objects of traditional Japanese packaging which extended from ceramics, wood and paper to woven fibre containers. At the conclusion of the tour, The Japan Foundation and the Crafts Board of the Australia Council donated the vast majority of the exhibition to the Ararat Gallery for its permanent collection. Combining the natural qualities of bamboo, paper and straw with delicate craftsmanship, these unique objects express Japanese aesthetics as applied through fibre crafts. In Japan, the qualities and traits of natural materials are exploited rather than hidden. The texture of straw, the septa of bamboo are not concealed but lovingly incorporated into the whole. In 1979 Hideyuki Oka, curator of ‘The Art of the Japanese Package’ wrote: “In no way self-conscious or assertive, these wrappings have an artless and obedient air that greatly moves the modern viewer. They are whispered evidence of the Japanese ability to create beauty from the simplest products of nature. They also teach us that wisdom and feeling are especially important in packaging because these qualities, or the lack of them, are almost immediately apparent. What is the use of a package if it shows no feeling?” The descriptions of the featured objects were written by Hideyuki Oka, curator of ‘The Art of the Japanese Package’, 1979.Gift of the Japan-Australia Foundation and the Crafts Board of the Australia Council, 1981These are containers for miso. The wooden box, a product of Osaka, is lacquered in black on the outside and in bright red on the inside. The binding of split bamboo, in natural colour, gives it a sturdy look. - Professor Hideyuki Oka, curator.japanese art, japanese packaging, tsutsumi, gift giving

‘The Art of the Japanese Package’ was an exhibition that toured to 10 Australian and 11 New Zealand public galleries in 1979 and 1980. The touring exhibition comprised 221 objects of traditional Japanese packaging which extended from ceramics, wood and paper to woven fibre containers. At the conclusion of the tour, The Japan Foundation and the Crafts Board of the Australia Council donated the vast majority of the exhibition to the Ararat Gallery for its permanent collection. Combining the natural qualities of bamboo, paper and straw with delicate craftsmanship, these unique objects express Japanese aesthetics as applied through fibre crafts. In Japan, the qualities and traits of natural materials are exploited rather than hidden. The texture of straw, the septa of bamboo are not concealed but lovingly incorporated into the whole. In 1979 Hideyuki Oka, curator of ‘The Art of the Japanese Package’ wrote: “In no way self-conscious or assertive, these wrappings have an artless and obedient air that greatly moves the modern viewer. They are whispered evidence of the Japanese ability to create beauty from the simplest products of nature. They also teach us that wisdom and feeling are especially important in packaging because these qualities, or the lack of them, are almost immediately apparent. What is the use of a package if it shows no feeling?” The descriptions of the featured objects were written by Hideyuki Oka, curator of ‘The Art of the Japanese Package’, 1979.Gift of the Japan-Australia Foundation and the Crafts Board of the Australia Council, 1981japanese art, japanese packaging, tsutsumi, gift giving

‘The Art of the Japanese Package’ was an exhibition that toured to 10 Australian and 11 New Zealand public galleries in 1979 and 1980. The touring exhibition comprised 221 objects of traditional Japanese packaging which extended from ceramics, wood and paper to woven fibre containers. At the conclusion of the tour, The Japan Foundation and the Crafts Board of the Australia Council donated the vast majority of the exhibition to the Ararat Gallery for its permanent collection. Combining the natural qualities of bamboo, paper and straw with delicate craftsmanship, these unique objects express Japanese aesthetics as applied through fibre crafts. In Japan, the qualities and traits of natural materials are exploited rather than hidden. The texture of straw, the septa of bamboo are not concealed but lovingly incorporated into the whole. In 1979 Hideyuki Oka, curator of ‘The Art of the Japanese Package’ wrote: “In no way self-conscious or assertive, these wrappings have an artless and obedient air that greatly moves the modern viewer. They are whispered evidence of the Japanese ability to create beauty from the simplest products of nature. They also teach us that wisdom and feeling are especially important in packaging because these qualities, or the lack of them, are almost immediately apparent. What is the use of a package if it shows no feeling?” The descriptions of the featured objects were written by Hideyuki Oka, curator of ‘The Art of the Japanese Package’, 1979.Gift of the Japan-Australia Foundation and the Crafts Board of the Australia Council, 1981japanese art, japanese packaging, tsutsumi, gift giving

‘The Art of the Japanese Package’ was an exhibition that toured to 10 Australian and 11 New Zealand public galleries in 1979 and 1980. The touring exhibition comprised 221 objects of traditional Japanese packaging which extended from ceramics, wood and paper to woven fibre containers. At the conclusion of the tour, The Japan Foundation and the Crafts Board of the Australia Council donated the vast majority of the exhibition to the Ararat Gallery for its permanent collection. Combining the natural qualities of bamboo, paper and straw with delicate craftsmanship, these unique objects express Japanese aesthetics as applied through fibre crafts. In Japan, the qualities and traits of natural materials are exploited rather than hidden. The texture of straw, the septa of bamboo are not concealed but lovingly incorporated into the whole. In 1979 Hideyuki Oka, curator of ‘The Art of the Japanese Package’ wrote: “In no way self-conscious or assertive, these wrappings have an artless and obedient air that greatly moves the modern viewer. They are whispered evidence of the Japanese ability to create beauty from the simplest products of nature. They also teach us that wisdom and feeling are especially important in packaging because these qualities, or the lack of them, are almost immediately apparent. What is the use of a package if it shows no feeling?” The descriptions of the featured objects were written by Hideyuki Oka, curator of ‘The Art of the Japanese Package’, 1979.Gift of the Japan-Australia Foundation and the Crafts Board of the Australia Council, 1981japanese art, japanese packaging, tsutsumi, gift giving

‘The Art of the Japanese Package’ was an exhibition that toured to 10 Australian and 11 New Zealand public galleries in 1979 and 1980. The touring exhibition comprised 221 objects of traditional Japanese packaging which extended from ceramics, wood and paper to woven fibre containers. At the conclusion of the tour, The Japan Foundation and the Crafts Board of the Australia Council donated the vast majority of the exhibition to the Ararat Gallery for its permanent collection. Combining the natural qualities of bamboo, paper and straw with delicate craftsmanship, these unique objects express Japanese aesthetics as applied through fibre crafts. In Japan, the qualities and traits of natural materials are exploited rather than hidden. The texture of straw, the septa of bamboo are not concealed but lovingly incorporated into the whole. In 1979 Hideyuki Oka, curator of ‘The Art of the Japanese Package’ wrote: “In no way self-conscious or assertive, these wrappings have an artless and obedient air that greatly moves the modern viewer. They are whispered evidence of the Japanese ability to create beauty from the simplest products of nature. They also teach us that wisdom and feeling are especially important in packaging because these qualities, or the lack of them, are almost immediately apparent. What is the use of a package if it shows no feeling?” The descriptions of the featured objects were written by Hideyuki Oka, curator of ‘The Art of the Japanese Package’, 1979.Gift of the Japan-Australia Foundation and the Crafts Board of the Australia Council, 1981japanese art, japanese packaging, tsutsumi, gift giving

‘The Art of the Japanese Package’ was an exhibition that toured to 10 Australian and 11 New Zealand public galleries in 1979 and 1980. The touring exhibition comprised 221 objects of traditional Japanese packaging which extended from ceramics, wood and paper to woven fibre containers. At the conclusion of the tour, The Japan Foundation and the Crafts Board of the Australia Council donated the vast majority of the exhibition to the Ararat Gallery for its permanent collection. Combining the natural qualities of bamboo, paper and straw with delicate craftsmanship, these unique objects express Japanese aesthetics as applied through fibre crafts. In Japan, the qualities and traits of natural materials are exploited rather than hidden. The texture of straw, the septa of bamboo are not concealed but lovingly incorporated into the whole. In 1979 Hideyuki Oka, curator of ‘The Art of the Japanese Package’ wrote: “In no way self-conscious or assertive, these wrappings have an artless and obedient air that greatly moves the modern viewer. They are whispered evidence of the Japanese ability to create beauty from the simplest products of nature. They also teach us that wisdom and feeling are especially important in packaging because these qualities, or the lack of them, are almost immediately apparent. What is the use of a package if it shows no feeling?” The descriptions of the featured objects were written by Hideyuki Oka, curator of ‘The Art of the Japanese Package’, 1979.Gift of the Japan-Australia Foundation and the Crafts Board of the Australia Council, 1981japanese art, japanese packaging, tsutsumi, gift giving

‘The Art of the Japanese Package’ was an exhibition that toured to 10 Australian and 11 New Zealand public galleries in 1979 and 1980. The touring exhibition comprised 221 objects of traditional Japanese packaging which extended from ceramics, wood and paper to woven fibre containers. At the conclusion of the tour, The Japan Foundation and the Crafts Board of the Australia Council donated the vast majority of the exhibition to the Ararat Gallery for its permanent collection. Combining the natural qualities of bamboo, paper and straw with delicate craftsmanship, these unique objects express Japanese aesthetics as applied through fibre crafts. In Japan, the qualities and traits of natural materials are exploited rather than hidden. The texture of straw, the septa of bamboo are not concealed but lovingly incorporated into the whole. In 1979 Hideyuki Oka, curator of ‘The Art of the Japanese Package’ wrote: “In no way self-conscious or assertive, these wrappings have an artless and obedient air that greatly moves the modern viewer. They are whispered evidence of the Japanese ability to create beauty from the simplest products of nature. They also teach us that wisdom and feeling are especially important in packaging because these qualities, or the lack of them, are almost immediately apparent. What is the use of a package if it shows no feeling?” The descriptions of the featured objects were written by Hideyuki Oka, curator of ‘The Art of the Japanese Package’, 1979.Gift of the Japan-Australia Foundation and the Crafts Board of the Australia Council, 1981japanese art, japanese packaging, tsutsumi, gift giving

Settling in Moyston in 1984, Nanette Bourke is a prominent figure in the Ararat and Grampians arts community, perhaps best known as a member of the ‘Grampians Four’ group of artists. Bourke has been a printmaker since the late 1960s, having studied at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney, and at art societies and the CAE in Melbourne before relocating to Western Victoria. Inspired by the woodcuts and linocuts by Melbourne artists of the 1920s and 1930s - Napier Waller, Murray Griffin, and especially Eric Thake - Bourke embraces the sophisticated results that can be achieved in this medium. Bourke holds a deep affinity with the natural environment, which is integral in her artistic life. Many of the works in this exhibition are inspired by the natural environment of the Grampians. In contrast to the often joyous depictions of Australian native flora, Bourke’s imagery also presents a poignant reminder of humankind’s negative impact on the environment.

Settling in Moyston in 1984, Nanette Bourke is a prominent figure in the Ararat and Grampians arts community, perhaps best known as a member of the ‘Grampians Four’ group of artists. Bourke has been a printmaker since the late 1960s, having studied at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney, and at art societies and the CAE in Melbourne before relocating to Western Victoria. Inspired by the woodcuts and linocuts by Melbourne artists of the 1920s and 1930s - Napier Waller, Murray Griffin, and especially Eric Thake - Bourke embraces the sophisticated results that can be achieved in this medium. Bourke holds a deep affinity with the natural environment, which is integral in her artistic life. Many of the works in this exhibition are inspired by the natural environment of the Grampians. In contrast to the often joyous depictions of Australian native flora, Bourke’s imagery also presents a poignant reminder of humankind’s negative impact on the environment.

Settling in Moyston in 1984, Nanette Bourke is a prominent figure in the Ararat and Grampians arts community, perhaps best known as a member of the ‘Grampians Four’ group of artists. Bourke has been a printmaker since the late 1960s, having studied at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney, and at art societies and the CAE in Melbourne before relocating to Western Victoria. Inspired by the woodcuts and linocuts by Melbourne artists of the 1920s and 1930s - Napier Waller, Murray Griffin, and especially Eric Thake - Bourke embraces the sophisticated results that can be achieved in this medium. Bourke holds a deep affinity with the natural environment, which is integral in her artistic life. Many of the works in this exhibition are inspired by the natural environment of the Grampians. In contrast to the often joyous depictions of Australian native flora, Bourke’s imagery also presents a poignant reminder of humankind’s negative impact on the environment.

Settling in Moyston in 1984, Nanette Bourke is a prominent figure in the Ararat and Grampians arts community, perhaps best known as a member of the ‘Grampians Four’ group of artists. Bourke has been a printmaker since the late 1960s, having studied at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney, and at art societies and the CAE in Melbourne before relocating to Western Victoria. Inspired by the woodcuts and linocuts by Melbourne artists of the 1920s and 1930s - Napier Waller, Murray Griffin, and especially Eric Thake - Bourke embraces the sophisticated results that can be achieved in this medium. Bourke holds a deep affinity with the natural environment, which is integral in her artistic life. Many of the works in this exhibition are inspired by the natural environment of the Grampians. In contrast to the often joyous depictions of Australian native flora, Bourke’s imagery also presents a poignant reminder of humankind’s negative impact on the environment.

Settling in Moyston in 1984, Nanette Bourke is a prominent figure in the Ararat and Grampians arts community, perhaps best known as a member of the ‘Grampians Four’ group of artists. Bourke has been a printmaker since the late 1960s, having studied at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney, and at art societies and the CAE in Melbourne before relocating to Western Victoria. Inspired by the woodcuts and linocuts by Melbourne artists of the 1920s and 1930s - Napier Waller, Murray Griffin, and especially Eric Thake - Bourke embraces the sophisticated results that can be achieved in this medium. Bourke holds a deep affinity with the natural environment, which is integral in her artistic life. Many of the works in this exhibition are inspired by the natural environment of the Grampians. In contrast to the often joyous depictions of Australian native flora, Bourke’s imagery also presents a poignant reminder of humankind’s negative impact on the environment.

Settling in Moyston in 1984, Nanette Bourke is a prominent figure in the Ararat and Grampians arts community, perhaps best known as a member of the ‘Grampians Four’ group of artists. Bourke has been a printmaker since the late 1960s, having studied at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney, and at art societies and the CAE in Melbourne before relocating to Western Victoria. Inspired by the woodcuts and linocuts by Melbourne artists of the 1920s and 1930s - Napier Waller, Murray Griffin, and especially Eric Thake - Bourke embraces the sophisticated results that can be achieved in this medium. Bourke holds a deep affinity with the natural environment, which is integral in her artistic life. Many of the works in this exhibition are inspired by the natural environment of the Grampians. In contrast to the often joyous depictions of Australian native flora, Bourke’s imagery also presents a poignant reminder of humankind’s negative impact on the environment.

Settling in Moyston in 1984, Nanette Bourke is a prominent figure in the Ararat and Grampians arts community, perhaps best known as a member of the ‘Grampians Four’ group of artists. Bourke has been a printmaker since the late 1960s, having studied at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney, and at art societies and the CAE in Melbourne before relocating to Western Victoria. Inspired by the woodcuts and linocuts by Melbourne artists of the 1920s and 1930s - Napier Waller, Murray Griffin, and especially Eric Thake - Bourke embraces the sophisticated results that can be achieved in this medium. Bourke holds a deep affinity with the natural environment, which is integral in her artistic life. Many of the works in this exhibition are inspired by the natural environment of the Grampians. In contrast to the often joyous depictions of Australian native flora, Bourke’s imagery also presents a poignant reminder of humankind’s negative impact on the environment.

Settling in Moyston in 1984, Nanette Bourke is a prominent figure in the Ararat and Grampians arts community, perhaps best known as a member of the ‘Grampians Four’ group of artists. Bourke has been a printmaker since the late 1960s, having studied at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney, and at art societies and the CAE in Melbourne before relocating to Western Victoria. Inspired by the woodcuts and linocuts by Melbourne artists of the 1920s and 1930s - Napier Waller, Murray Griffin, and especially Eric Thake - Bourke embraces the sophisticated results that can be achieved in this medium. Bourke holds a deep affinity with the natural environment, which is integral in her artistic life. Many of the works in this exhibition are inspired by the natural environment of the Grampians. In contrast to the often joyous depictions of Australian native flora, Bourke’s imagery also presents a poignant reminder of humankind’s negative impact on the environment.

Settling in Moyston in 1984, Nanette Bourke is a prominent figure in the Ararat and Grampians arts community, perhaps best known as a member of the ‘Grampians Four’ group of artists. Bourke has been a printmaker since the late 1960s, having studied at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney, and at art societies and the CAE in Melbourne before relocating to Western Victoria. Inspired by the woodcuts and linocuts by Melbourne artists of the 1920s and 1930s - Napier Waller, Murray Griffin, and especially Eric Thake - Bourke embraces the sophisticated results that can be achieved in this medium. Bourke holds a deep affinity with the natural environment, which is integral in her artistic life. Many of the works in this exhibition are inspired by the natural environment of the Grampians. In contrast to the often joyous depictions of Australian native flora, Bourke’s imagery also presents a poignant reminder of humankind’s negative impact on the environment.

Settling in Moyston in 1984, Nanette Bourke is a prominent figure in the Ararat and Grampians arts community, perhaps best known as a member of the ‘Grampians Four’ group of artists. Bourke has been a printmaker since the late 1960s, having studied at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney, and at art societies and the CAE in Melbourne before relocating to Western Victoria. Inspired by the woodcuts and linocuts by Melbourne artists of the 1920s and 1930s - Napier Waller, Murray Griffin, and especially Eric Thake - Bourke embraces the sophisticated results that can be achieved in this medium. Bourke holds a deep affinity with the natural environment, which is integral in her artistic life. Many of the works in this exhibition are inspired by the natural environment of the Grampians. In contrast to the often joyous depictions of Australian native flora, Bourke’s imagery also presents a poignant reminder of humankind’s negative impact on the environment.

Settling in Moyston in 1984, Nanette Bourke is a prominent figure in the Ararat and Grampians arts community, perhaps best known as a member of the ‘Grampians Four’ group of artists. Bourke has been a printmaker since the late 1960s, having studied at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney, and at art societies and the CAE in Melbourne before relocating to Western Victoria. Inspired by the woodcuts and linocuts by Melbourne artists of the 1920s and 1930s - Napier Waller, Murray Griffin, and especially Eric Thake - Bourke embraces the sophisticated results that can be achieved in this medium. Bourke holds a deep affinity with the natural environment, which is integral in her artistic life. Many of the works in this exhibition are inspired by the natural environment of the Grampians. In contrast to the often joyous depictions of Australian native flora, Bourke’s imagery also presents a poignant reminder of humankind’s negative impact on the environment.

Settling in Moyston in 1984, Nanette Bourke is a prominent figure in the Ararat and Grampians arts community, perhaps best known as a member of the ‘Grampians Four’ group of artists. Bourke has been a printmaker since the late 1960s, having studied at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney, and at art societies and the CAE in Melbourne before relocating to Western Victoria. Inspired by the woodcuts and linocuts by Melbourne artists of the 1920s and 1930s - Napier Waller, Murray Griffin, and especially Eric Thake - Bourke embraces the sophisticated results that can be achieved in this medium. Bourke holds a deep affinity with the natural environment, which is integral in her artistic life. Many of the works in this exhibition are inspired by the natural environment of the Grampians. In contrast to the often joyous depictions of Australian native flora, Bourke’s imagery also presents a poignant reminder of humankind’s negative impact on the environment.

Settling in Moyston in 1984, Nanette Bourke is a prominent figure in the Ararat and Grampians arts community, perhaps best known as a member of the ‘Grampians Four’ group of artists. Bourke has been a printmaker since the late 1960s, having studied at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney, and at art societies and the CAE in Melbourne before relocating to Western Victoria. Inspired by the woodcuts and linocuts by Melbourne artists of the 1920s and 1930s - Napier Waller, Murray Griffin, and especially Eric Thake - Bourke embraces the sophisticated results that can be achieved in this medium. Bourke holds a deep affinity with the natural environment, which is integral in her artistic life. Many of the works in this exhibition are inspired by the natural environment of the Grampians. In contrast to the often joyous depictions of Australian native flora, Bourke’s imagery also presents a poignant reminder of humankind’s negative impact on the environment.

Settling in Moyston in 1984, Nanette Bourke is a prominent figure in the Ararat and Grampians arts community, perhaps best known as a member of the ‘Grampians Four’ group of artists. Bourke has been a printmaker since the late 1960s, having studied at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney, and at art societies and the CAE in Melbourne before relocating to Western Victoria. Inspired by the woodcuts and linocuts by Melbourne artists of the 1920s and 1930s - Napier Waller, Murray Griffin, and especially Eric Thake - Bourke embraces the sophisticated results that can be achieved in this medium. Bourke holds a deep affinity with the natural environment, which is integral in her artistic life. Many of the works in this exhibition are inspired by the natural environment of the Grampians. In contrast to the often joyous depictions of Australian native flora, Bourke’s imagery also presents a poignant reminder of humankind’s negative impact on the environment.

Settling in Moyston in 1984, Nanette Bourke is a prominent figure in the Ararat and Grampians arts community, perhaps best known as a member of the ‘Grampians Four’ group of artists. Bourke has been a printmaker since the late 1960s, having studied at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney, and at art societies and the CAE in Melbourne before relocating to Western Victoria. Inspired by the woodcuts and linocuts by Melbourne artists of the 1920s and 1930s - Napier Waller, Murray Griffin, and especially Eric Thake - Bourke embraces the sophisticated results that can be achieved in this medium. Bourke holds a deep affinity with the natural environment, which is integral in her artistic life. Many of the works in this exhibition are inspired by the natural environment of the Grampians. In contrast to the often joyous depictions of Australian native flora, Bourke’s imagery also presents a poignant reminder of humankind’s negative impact on the environment.

Settling in Moyston in 1984, Nanette Bourke is a prominent figure in the Ararat and Grampians arts community, perhaps best known as a member of the ‘Grampians Four’ group of artists. Bourke has been a printmaker since the late 1960s, having studied at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney, and at art societies and the CAE in Melbourne before relocating to Western Victoria. Inspired by the woodcuts and linocuts by Melbourne artists of the 1920s and 1930s - Napier Waller, Murray Griffin, and especially Eric Thake - Bourke embraces the sophisticated results that can be achieved in this medium. Bourke holds a deep affinity with the natural environment, which is integral in her artistic life. Many of the works in this exhibition are inspired by the natural environment of the Grampians. In contrast to the often joyous depictions of Australian native flora, Bourke’s imagery also presents a poignant reminder of humankind’s negative impact on the environment.

Settling in Moyston in 1984, Nanette Bourke is a prominent figure in the Ararat and Grampians arts community, perhaps best known as a member of the ‘Grampians Four’ group of artists. Bourke has been a printmaker since the late 1960s, having studied at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney, and at art societies and the CAE in Melbourne before relocating to Western Victoria. Inspired by the woodcuts and linocuts by Melbourne artists of the 1920s and 1930s - Napier Waller, Murray Griffin, and especially Eric Thake - Bourke embraces the sophisticated results that can be achieved in this medium. Bourke holds a deep affinity with the natural environment, which is integral in her artistic life. Many of the works in this exhibition are inspired by the natural environment of the Grampians. In contrast to the often joyous depictions of Australian native flora, Bourke’s imagery also presents a poignant reminder of humankind’s negative impact on the environment.

Frances Burke: Designer of Modern Textiles Australia’s most influential and celebrated textile designer of the mid-20th century, Frances Burke (1904-1994), employed Australian native flora, garden flowers, marine subjects, Indigenous culture and increasingly, abstract motifs in her stunning modern fabrics. A confident, determined designer and businesswoman; Burke made the shift from fine art to design in 1937. While she began by designing dress fabrics for Melbourne’s fashionable Georges Department store, printing them on linen using lino blocks, she was an early adopter of the screen-printing process and during the war years began printing on cotton. Burke’s furnishing fabrics took their place in influential modern buildings Australia-wide through collaborations with leading architects and interior designers. They included Robin Boyd’s 1949 House of Tomorrow, Roy Grounds’ Quamby flats, Guilford Bell’s Royal Hayman Island Resort for Ansett Airlines, and Yuncken, Freeman Brothers, Griffiths and Simpson’s Canberra Civic Centre Theatre. In the post-war period, Burke made regular trips to the United States and Europe, on her return advising homeowners and manufacturers on the latest trends in products, colours and home design in lectures and interviews. At New Design her fabric showroom and interior design consultancy Burke introduced furniture by emerging designers Clement Meadmore and Grant Featherston in the early 1950s and presented local and imported homewares, mostly from the United States. She was enthusiastic about the convenient and comfortable lifestyle experienced by ordinary American women. Her fabrics and advice were regularly featured in Australian Home Beautiful, Australian House and Garden and the newspapers of the day. Some of Burke’s designs had remarkable longevity. Tiger Stripe (1938) for example, continued to be produced in a wide range of colours until 1970 and Crete (1946) remained a popular choice for interiors into the 1960s. Drawing from a rich variety of sources including Indigenous culture in Goanna (c.1954) and Pacific Island tapa cloth designs in Bird and Tree (1940), Burke also looked to Japan in designs such as Plum Blossom (1948) and Zen (1965). She loved exploring the potential of native flora, seen in designs including Waratah (1955) and Flannel Flower (1955), while garden flowers were the source for many other designs including Belladonna (1940), Periwinkle (n.d.) and Rose (1947). Burke’s clever interplay of a single striking printed colour with lively gestural lines revealing the white base fabric, gave her designs a vibrancy that characterised the optimistic post-war era. This can be seen in Burke’s fabrics for Hayman Island including Angel Fish and Seapiece (both 1949) which expressed the freshness and excitement of the luxurious new tropical resort and led to further commissions. Burke’s three decades in business (1937-1970) were an unparalleled success in the story of Australian design. Her fabrics have been collected by the NGA, the Powerhouse Museum, NGV, RMIT Design Archives and Sydney Living Museums in addition to Ararat Gallery TAMA. Written by Nanette Carter and Robyn Oswald-Jacobs.

Frances Burke: Designer of Modern Textiles Australia’s most influential and celebrated textile designer of the mid-20th century, Frances Burke (1904-1994), employed Australian native flora, garden flowers, marine subjects, Indigenous culture and increasingly, abstract motifs in her stunning modern fabrics. A confident, determined designer and businesswoman; Burke made the shift from fine art to design in 1937. While she began by designing dress fabrics for Melbourne’s fashionable Georges Department store, printing them on linen using lino blocks, she was an early adopter of the screen-printing process and during the war years began printing on cotton. Burke’s furnishing fabrics took their place in influential modern buildings Australia-wide through collaborations with leading architects and interior designers. They included Robin Boyd’s 1949 House of Tomorrow, Roy Grounds’ Quamby flats, Guilford Bell’s Royal Hayman Island Resort for Ansett Airlines, and Yuncken, Freeman Brothers, Griffiths and Simpson’s Canberra Civic Centre Theatre. In the post-war period, Burke made regular trips to the United States and Europe, on her return advising homeowners and manufacturers on the latest trends in products, colours and home design in lectures and interviews. At New Design her fabric showroom and interior design consultancy Burke introduced furniture by emerging designers Clement Meadmore and Grant Featherston in the early 1950s and presented local and imported homewares, mostly from the United States. She was enthusiastic about the convenient and comfortable lifestyle experienced by ordinary American women. Her fabrics and advice were regularly featured in Australian Home Beautiful, Australian House and Garden and the newspapers of the day. Some of Burke’s designs had remarkable longevity. Tiger Stripe (1938) for example, continued to be produced in a wide range of colours until 1970 and Crete (1946) remained a popular choice for interiors into the 1960s. Drawing from a rich variety of sources including Indigenous culture in Goanna (c.1954) and Pacific Island tapa cloth designs in Bird and Tree (1940), Burke also looked to Japan in designs such as Plum Blossom (1948) and Zen (1965). She loved exploring the potential of native flora, seen in designs including Waratah (1955) and Flannel Flower (1955), while garden flowers were the source for many other designs including Belladonna (1940), Periwinkle (n.d.) and Rose (1947). Burke’s clever interplay of a single striking printed colour with lively gestural lines revealing the white base fabric, gave her designs a vibrancy that characterised the optimistic post-war era. This can be seen in Burke’s fabrics for Hayman Island including Angel Fish and Seapiece (both 1949) which expressed the freshness and excitement of the luxurious new tropical resort and led to further commissions. Burke’s three decades in business (1937-1970) were an unparalleled success in the story of Australian design. Her fabrics have been collected by the NGA, the Powerhouse Museum, NGV, RMIT Design Archives and Sydney Living Museums in addition to Ararat Gallery TAMA. Written by Nanette Carter and Robyn Oswald-Jacobs.

Frances Burke: Designer of Modern Textiles Australia’s most influential and celebrated textile designer of the mid-20th century, Frances Burke (1904-1994), employed Australian native flora, garden flowers, marine subjects, Indigenous culture and increasingly, abstract motifs in her stunning modern fabrics. A confident, determined designer and businesswoman; Burke made the shift from fine art to design in 1937. While she began by designing dress fabrics for Melbourne’s fashionable Georges Department store, printing them on linen using lino blocks, she was an early adopter of the screen-printing process and during the war years began printing on cotton. Burke’s furnishing fabrics took their place in influential modern buildings Australia-wide through collaborations with leading architects and interior designers. They included Robin Boyd’s 1949 House of Tomorrow, Roy Grounds’ Quamby flats, Guilford Bell’s Royal Hayman Island Resort for Ansett Airlines, and Yuncken, Freeman Brothers, Griffiths and Simpson’s Canberra Civic Centre Theatre. In the post-war period, Burke made regular trips to the United States and Europe, on her return advising homeowners and manufacturers on the latest trends in products, colours and home design in lectures and interviews. At New Design her fabric showroom and interior design consultancy Burke introduced furniture by emerging designers Clement Meadmore and Grant Featherston in the early 1950s and presented local and imported homewares, mostly from the United States. She was enthusiastic about the convenient and comfortable lifestyle experienced by ordinary American women. Her fabrics and advice were regularly featured in Australian Home Beautiful, Australian House and Garden and the newspapers of the day. Some of Burke’s designs had remarkable longevity. Tiger Stripe (1938) for example, continued to be produced in a wide range of colours until 1970 and Crete (1946) remained a popular choice for interiors into the 1960s. Drawing from a rich variety of sources including Indigenous culture in Goanna (c.1954) and Pacific Island tapa cloth designs in Bird and Tree (1940), Burke also looked to Japan in designs such as Plum Blossom (1948) and Zen (1965). She loved exploring the potential of native flora, seen in designs including Waratah (1955) and Flannel Flower (1955), while garden flowers were the source for many other designs including Belladonna (1940), Periwinkle (n.d.) and Rose (1947). Burke’s clever interplay of a single striking printed colour with lively gestural lines revealing the white base fabric, gave her designs a vibrancy that characterised the optimistic post-war era. This can be seen in Burke’s fabrics for Hayman Island including Angel Fish and Seapiece (both 1949) which expressed the freshness and excitement of the luxurious new tropical resort and led to further commissions. Burke’s three decades in business (1937-1970) were an unparalleled success in the story of Australian design. Her fabrics have been collected by the NGA, the Powerhouse Museum, NGV, RMIT Design Archives and Sydney Living Museums in addition to Ararat Gallery TAMA. Written by Nanette Carter and Robyn Oswald-Jacobs.