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.