Vale Hertha Kluge-Pott

Like so many others, I’m deeply saddened to hear that Hertha Kluge-Pott, one of Australia’s printmaking legends, has passed away.

In these photos I’m pictured with Hertha at the Australian Print Workshop during the award ceremony for the 2022 APW George Collie Memorial Award, of which she was a recipient. 

I was awarded the APW George Collie Memorial Award back in 2020, but the official presentation was postponed due to COVID lockdowns. It was worth the wait, as well as a tremendous honour, to belatedly receive the award on the same day as Hertha. 

Hertha and I are standing (together with APW Director Anne Virgo in image No. 1, top), in front of a series of linocuts by the late Barbara Hanrahan, who jointly received the award in 2020. The late Ann Newmarch OAM was joint recipient of the 2022 award. 

In tandem with the awards, the APW held an exhibition of works by all four artists, which ran from August - October 2022.

The APW George Collie Memorial Award is presented annually by the APW in acknowledgement of artists who have made a significant contribution to Australian printmaking. It was a privilege to be included in such esteemed company (including those who came before us) and marvellous, as always, to catch up with Hertha. I never dreamed that it would be the last time I would see her. 

RIP, Hertha.

OutWARds BALLARAT - Women’s Art Register’s 50th Anniversary Roadshow

 

Pictured above and below: snapshots of Women’s Art Register’s enlightening, informative and inspirational information day on Saturday, 31 May, as part of Outwards Ballarat at Eureka Centre Ballarat, the first stop in W.A.R.’s 50th Anniversary Roadshow.

 

The program began with a history of the Women’s Art Register and also included invaluable advice for artists on conserving their artworks and how to leave their legacies. (The W.A.R. publication Leaving your Legacy is an essential resource). I’ve since begun to compile a long overdue update to the archive of my own work that’s held in the Register.

 

On a personal note, it was terrific to reconnect after far too many years with Merren Ricketson, History & Education Coordinator. (Image 3 above). Merren curated the exhibition BIAS BINDING - Women’s Art Register 1975 - 1995 (National Gallery of Victoria, 1995), which included my painting St Martha, the Patron Saint of Housewives. The exhibition and my connection to W.A.R. led directly and indirectly to several unforeseen opportunities, as well as friendships that continue to this day. 

Women’s Art Register now represents over 5000 Australian-based women. 

Congratulations to W.A.R. on 50 years of operation. Thank you for your tireless efforts in giving women artists a voice, for preserving their legacy and for your continuing vigilance. 

The event was hosted by Creative Ballarat.

Ballarat Heritage Festival 2025

Selected highlights from the final two days of the Ballarat Heritage Festival on Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25.  

Predominantly featured are local legends, the Ballarat People Who Promenade, of which, by virtue of a Royal Decree from HRH Queen Victoria (Megan Finlayson, pictured below, right) Shane Jones (pictured above) and I (pictured top) are loyal members. 

Incidentally, my fine designer hat, which dates from the 1940s, was inherited from my late aunt, Ballarat-born Eileen Klein. The fob watch pinned to my coat (not clearly shown in most photos) belonged to my aunt too. Shane’s antique walking stick was also passed down from the Klein family. Very possibly it was originally purchased in Ballarat.

Traditionally the Promenaders meet at the statue of Queen Victoria in Sturt Street. There we toast Her Royal Highness on the occasion of her birthday, which falls on May 24. This year she turned 206. Happy Birthday, Queen Victoria!

From here we promenaded to the Old Colonists Club for afternoon tea, followed by a leisurely stroll to Ballarat Railway Station, a short walk away.

Thank you, HRH Megan and Stationmaster Bryan Putt for inviting us to join your merry band. We had a ball and can’t wait to do it again next year. 

EVERYTHING’S COMING UP ROSES: a linocut in progress

Pictured above and below are selected progress views of my current linocut. It’s intended for a group exhibition and print exchange comprising relief prints by 55 artists that’s scheduled for early next year. However, because its curator, Rona Green, will need ample time to organise numerous aspects of the project, including framing and collating all the works for the portfolios, our print editions are due to be completed and delivered by early August 2025. 

The title of the exhibition/print exchange is Irrepressible. My work is entitled Everything’s Coming Up Roses. 

ONE HUNDRED FACES Opening Event

1

Further to my last two posts, here are some snaps of yesterday’s opening of the sixth annual ONE HUNDRED FACES exhibition at Playing in the Attic.  It was terrific to see so many of the participating artists and their works. In the words of fellow participant Shane Jones (photo #4), it gets better every year - and I’m sure we’re all inclined to agree! 

2

3

4

5

6

7

Unfortunately it was impossible to get a shot of the installation without reflections. Apologies to the artists whose works are in the affected areas. 

8

Huge thanks, as always, to Playing in the Attic’s proprietor Trudy McLauchlan (photos #3 and #5) for all the hard work that goes into making ONE HUNDRED FACES happen. 

The exhibition continues to 25 May.