Released 30/09/2017
Minister for the Arts and Community Events, Gordon Ramsay, has officially opened Eirene Mort: a livelihood at the Canberra Museum and Gallery (CMAG).
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Eirene Mort’s passing at the age of 98; a fitting time to consider her life and work.
“Knowing that the Canberra region was about to change because of its new status as the national capital, Eirene Mort compiled a portfolio of drawings and made etchings of buildings and scenes in the Canberra district.
“Her works show that she had a keen sense that the times were changing and there is a nostalgia in the way she captured the falling-down buildings that were making way for the growing national capital,” Minister Ramsay said.
The Federal Capital Commission, in charge of celebrations for the opening of the first Federal Parliament in Canberra, declined at the time to exhibit these works, but they were shortly after exhibited in Sydney. Now, some ninety years later, Canberra is finally seeing an exhibit of Eirene Mort’s work.
“Eirene’s unique work provides a portal to a past Canberra that few of us know about and we are fortunate indeed to be able to experience this beautiful snapshot of her brilliant career.
“This exhibition showcases her diverse arts practice including drawings, paintings, etchings, prints, embroidery and design work. It highlights both her significant artistic talents and her foresight in documenting an early Canberra which few of us know about.” Minister Ramsay said.
The free exhibition which features a number of previously unseen works will be on display from 30 September 2017 to 25 February 2018 at the Canberra Museum and Gallery.
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Gordon Ramsay, MLA | Media Releases