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.

Colour photograph. Gallery space on ground floor corridor. Art is coloured abstract paintings from an unidentified artist. Two women appear right of frame. Taken from the corridor towards the south of the QVWC building towards the entrance and Lonsdale street.art exhibitions, historic buildings, cultural structures and establishments

Local artistPastel coloured abstract work

Robert WAGHORN Robert Waghorn was a mature age student at the Ballarat School of Mines when Head of the Art Department, Brian McLennan, commissioned this work. Born: 1957 – Ballarat, Vic 1984 – Diploma of Fine Art (Painting), Phillip Institute of Technology 1985 – Studied art throughout Europe, United Kingdom and Egypt 1987 – Graduate Diploma (Art & Design). Phillip Institute of TechnologyAbstract Painting If you can provide information on this artist or artwork please use the comment box below.robert waghorn, brian mclennan, ballarat school of mines, artist, artwork

Framed original artwork of Asian origin. asian art, artwork, artists, abstract

This item was purchased for the Ballarat College of Advanced Education (later Federation University Australia) by the Art Acquisition Committee. It is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Framed abstract painting using gouache. If you can provide information on this artist or artwork please use the comment link below.art, artwork, sue quinlan, quinlan, abstract, gouache

Student work from Graduate Exhibition, Ballarat College of Advanced Education 1987. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007. Oil on CanvasJ Lonsdale (verso)art, artwork, abstract, lonsdale, alumni, available, oil on canvas, oil painting

This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Large wheel thrown terracotta bowl with abstract decoration including text and gold lustre glaze. art, artwork, vesna medavarsky, ceramic, terracotta, wheelthrown, oxides, gold luster, pottery, bowl, large bowl

PETER CLARKE (1935 - ) Born Deloraine, Tasmania Peter Clarke was both artist and teacher. He held 14 exhibitions between 1957 and 1977, as well as participating in a number of group exhibitions, including Contemporary Australian Painting shown in Los Angeles and San Francisco. He is best known for large colour-field works. Peter Clarke's abstract painting emphasises texture, colour and gesture. He won the George Crouch Memorial Prize in 1967 This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Framed abstract painting with an ink wash.art, artwork, peter clarke, abstract

PETER CLARKE (1935 - ) Born Deloraine, Tasmania Peter Clarke was both artist and teacher. He held 14 exhibitions between 1957 and 1977, as well as participating in a number of group exhibitions, including Contemporary Australian Painting shown in Los Angeles and San Francisco. He is best known for large colour-field works. Peter Clarke's abstract painting emphasises texture, colour and gesture. He won the George Crouch Memorial Prize in 1967 This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Abstract painting with black, red, yellow, green, blue and white predominating.art, artwork, peter clarke, clarke, abstract, colour-field

George JOHNSON (18 August 1926- ) Born Nelson, New Zealand Arrived Australia 1953 George Johnson's formalised abstractions usually feature a pattern of small related geometrical shapes which give life, luminosity and fluidity to forms which might be mechanical and lifeless. Later his forms become become much larger and more architonic. The work of George Johnson debuted at the Herald Outdoor Art Show in 1953. The George Johnson Mural was commissioned by the Ballarat Teachers' College Students' Representative Council in 1965. It was purchased with funds raised by staff and students. At the unveiling of this work at the Ballarat Teachers' College Johnson's work was described at belonging to the "Hard Edged" school of abstract painters who had set themselves far above the mass of abstract painters by the vitality and artistic ability displayed in their work. Of the work John JOhnson said "We are all part of life and are growing and developing in many different ways, the process of development is often taking place without us even being aware of it. In my painting the embryo shapes appear and grow. I have tried to make the mural symbolic of life and growth. I do not thank that anything has been left to chance in the mural. Everything is working, and, I feel, working well. It has balance and harmony - and perhaps discord, as does life - one malfunction or imbalance throws everything out." This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.A painted mural in three panels, including hession collage. art, artwork, george johnson, johnson, ballarat teachers' college art collection, mural, hard edged

PETER CLARKE (1935 - ) Born Deloraine, Tasmania Peter Clarke was both artist and teacher. He held 14 exhibitions between 1957 and 1977, as well as participating in a number of group exhibitions, including Contemporary Australian Painting shown in Los Angeles and San Francisco. He is best known for large colour-field works. Peter Clarke's abstract painting emphasises texture, colour and gesture. He won the George Crouch Memorial Prize in 1967 This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Framed abstract drawing with wash.art, artwork, printmaking, peter clarke, mixed media, ballarat teachers' college collection, abstract

Alun LEACH-JONES (1937- 24 December 2017) Born Maghull, Lancashire, United Kingdom Arrived Australia 1960 Alun Leach-Jones is recognised as one of Australia's leading abstract colour painters. He spent his childhood in the Welsh village of Glasfryn, Denbighshire. At the age of 14 he started a three year apprenticeship with the Solicitors Law Society, Liverpool illuminating manuscripts and hand copying legal documents. While working with the law society Leach-Jones studied painting and drawing in the evenings at the Liverpool College of Art between the years 1955-57. He immigrated to Australia in 1960, settling in Adelaide and attending the South Australian School of Art, after which he travelled and exhibited throughout Australia and abroad. In 1966 Leach-Jones celebrated Noumenon series was shown with Australian Galleries in Melbourne and he was immediately recognised as being part of what was then labelled as ‘the New Abstraction’ in Australian art. Later in 1968 his work was included in the influential exhibition "The Field" held at the National Gallery of Victoria. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.art, artwork, alun leach-jones, leach-jones, printmaking, screenprint

Alun LEACH-JONES (1937 - 24 December 2017) Born Maghull, Lancashire, United Kingdom Arrived Australia 1960 Alun Leach-Jones is recognised as one of Australia's leading abstract colour painters. He spent his childhood in the Welsh village of Glasfryn, Denbighshire. At the age of 14 he started a three year apprenticeship with the Solicitors Law Society, Liverpool illuminating manuscripts and hand copying legal documents. While working with the law society Leach-Jones studied painting and drawing in the evenings at the Liverpool College of Art between the years 1955-57. He immigrated to Australia in 1960, settling in Adelaide and attending the South Australian School of Art, after which he travelled and exhibited throughout Australia and abroad. In 1966 Leach-Jones celebrated Noumenon series was shown with Australian Galleries in Melbourne and he was immediately recognised as being part of what was then labelled as ‘the New Abstraction’ in Australian art. Later in 1968 his work was included in the influential exhibition "The Field" held at the National Gallery of Victoria. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Framed screenprint.art, artwork, printmaking, alun leach-jones, abstract colour, south australian school of art

This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Abstract painting on canvas. If you can provide information on this artist or artwork please use the email link below.art, artwork, liz turpie, turpie, available, abstract

This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007. If you can provide information on this artist or artwork please use the comment box below. art, artwork, abstract, acrylic on canvas

Norman BAGGALEY (b1937- ) Born in Staffordshire, United Kingdom . Arrived Australia c1978 Norman Baggaley obtained a National Diploma of Design (Painting ) at Stroke on Trent College of Art, UK. His first Australian appointment was from 1978 to 1980 where he was Dean of the School of Arts at Ballarat College of Advanced Education. He spent the next two years as Dean of the Faculty of Art and Design at Prahran College of education. From 1982 until 1991 Baggaley was Professor of Visual Arts and Dean at Prahran CAE, before moving to the Victorian College of the Arts as Associate Professor and Dean of the School of Art at the University of Melbourne Victorian College of Art. Norman Baggaley was Head of School at Ballarat College of Advanced Education. He offered the work for donation with the Art Acquisition Committee commenting that "it was desirable that works from previous heads of School of the Arts be held by the College and that initially the painting could be located in the Art staff room for the first year then displayed else where on campus. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007. An oil on canvas abstract work by Norman Baggaley Gift of the Artist, c1984art, artwork, baggaley, ballarat college of advanced education, norman baggaley, oil on canvas

Tarli GLOVER Tarli Glover undertook a Bachelor of Arts at Ballarat College of Advanced Education [now Federation University] between 1980 and 1983, majoring in Fine Art Painting. Based in Central Victoria, she has been practicing professionally for over three decades and has exhibited widely throughout Australia. While Tarli's work covers a wide range of creative disciplines’ she concentrate’s primarily on painting, drawing and multi-media works with a focus on both landscape and figurative genres. Her work leans toward semi abstract symbolism and representation. This triptych was part of Tarli Glover's final year folio in 1983. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.A painted triptych by Tarli Glover with the following titles: .1) 'Bits and Speechless Pieces' .2) 'A Grimace on Obscurity' .3) 'Keeping the Interval'art, artwork, tarli glover, theatre, triptyc, oil on board, ballarat college of advanced education, alumni

David RANKIN (1946- ) Born Plymouth, Devon, England Arrived Australia 1948. Leaving rural New South Wales David Rankin arrived in Sydney in 1967. A largely self taught artist he taught art between 1966 and 1974, with his first exhibition was held in 1968. During the 1970s he established Port Jackson Press publishing fine art prints. In 1983 David Rankin won the Wynne Prize for Australian landscape painting. Rankin lives and works in New York, New York., United States of America. His abstract work is distinguished by its loose, expressionistic use of line. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Abstract paintingart, artwork, david rankin, landscape, available, oils, oil on linen

Donald Cameron (1927 - ) Born Melbourne The artist was on a one year's sabatical study leave at the Slade School of Art when this work was produced. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Framed silkscreen featuring an abstract design in black, green and black. Purchased by Ballarat Teachers' College, 1967Written lower left 'Exotic Garden' 1/12 Signed lower right 'Donald Cameron'art, artwork, donald cameron, printmaking, silkscreen, garden, available, screenprint

Acquired by the Ballarat Teachers’ College, 1961 This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Framed abstract paintingart, artwork, felicity marshall, marshall, available, abstract, oil on board

This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Abstract painting. If you are able to provide information on this artist or artwork please use the comment link below.art, artwork, ross trounce, abstract, available

Kevin RHODES This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Framed abstract drawingart, artwork, kevin rhodes

Elwyn (Jack) LYNN (6 November 1917 – 22 January 1997) Born Canowindra, New South Wales Sydney based artist Elwyn Lynn was a self-taught artist who often used unconventional painting media and expressive surfaces to create abstract work. He trained as a teacher, and was a teacher of English and History in Sydney Secondary schools until 1968. From 1969 to 1983 Elwynn Lynn was Curator of the Power Gallery of Contemporary Art at Sydney University where he built up an international collection, which is now within the Sydney Museum of Contemporary Art. He was an art critic at The Australian for many years, and wrote several books, including one on the artist Sir Sidney Nolan. Elwyn Lynn was awarded Membership of the Order of Australia in 1975. He won the Wynne Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW in 1988, received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Sydney in 1969, and received the Emeritus Award from the Australia Council in 1994. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Framed mixed media artwork. Like most of Elwyn Lynn's work 'The' is essentially abstract, although evoking a sense of landscape. " Lynn’s heavy textures were created by mixing polyvinyl acetate (PVA) with sand, cement or plaster, after which it was left to dry in the sun or near a radiator. With the upper level drying and hardening first, its skin could be cut, sliced, poked, prodded and distressed, pushed into folds and corrugations." (https://www.charlesnodrumgallery.com.au/artists/elwyn-lynn/elwyn-lynn/, accessed 22 October 2019)art, artwork, elwyn lynn, abstract, available

Mohammed and the Origami Lightning" was a print I made in 1980, soon after my return from Mossman, north Queensland and a six month stint of studying the metaphysics of Shaik Ibn Arabi with Diane Cilento. The unspeakable omniscience of the prophet is conjured up in the left hand part of the image, and the playfull fantasy of a make believe world in the right hand part. These two realities spliced into the one printed image was what I found very attractive at the time. (March 2021)Jock CLUTTERBUCK (1945- ) Born Edenhope, Victoria Jock Clutterbuck is a sculptor and printmaker of national significance, his prints in colour etchings and aquatints are often from shaped plates and reflect themes found in his sculpture. Known for sophisticated and detailed abstract form, Clutterbuck studied sculpture and drawing at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology from 1965 – 1966, where he subsequently taught from 1969 – 1973 before taking up a role as the lecturer in Sculpture at the Victorian College of the Arts from 1974 – 2000. This work is an etching with aquatint and colour stencil on Torinoko An early supporter was Tate Adams, who established the Crossley Gallery to exhibit prints. He urged Jock Clutterbuck to create a series of etchings for Crossley Gallery, a gallery estabished by Tate to exhibit prints. Clutterbuck was awarded the National Gallery of Victoria Society Drawing Prize in 1966, the Australian Print Council Prize in 1969 and 1973, the Geelong Print Prize in 1972, the State Government Bicentenary award for sculpture in 1970, the PCA print prize in 1973, the Fremantle Arts Centre Print Prize in 1976 and the Caulfield Arts Centre Sculpture Award in 1979. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.art, artwork, jock clutterbuck, printmaking, etching, printmaking etching, available

Doug WRIGHT (1944 - ) Born Ballarat Doug Wright studied at the Ballarta School of Mines Art School between 1963 and 1964, followed by studies at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology from 1965 to 1966, resulting in a Diploma of Art (Fine Art Painting). Since 1974 Doug Wright has had over 20 solo exhibitions and a survey exhibition in 1993 which travelled Victorian Regional Galleries. From 1975 to 2009 Doug Wright was Lecturer in Painting at State College of Victoria (Ballarat) and University of Ballarat. This item was commissioned for the entrance of the new Administration Building at Mount Helen by the Director of Ballarat University College, is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Abstract landscape with vertical lineal components.art, artwork, doug wright, landscape

This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.If you can assist with information on this artist or artwork please use the email link below.art, artwork, painting, abstract

Alan BATES Known for his interest in the minimalist harmonies of paint, Alan Bates lives in regional Victoria and his works resource local places. Works can speak of landscape or the weathered detritus randomly found in abandoned industrial areas including the dockside. Alan Bates is a graduate of the University of Ballarat (now Federation University), and has been exhibiting regularly since 1990. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Abstract landscapeSigned lower right side 'Alan Bates '94'art, artwork, alan bates, bates, landscape, abstract, oil, oil on duckcloth, alumni

This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 2000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.An abstract arcylic painting on canvas. art, artwork, sandra laver, abstract, alumni