Agnes Barker facts for kids
Agnes Frances Amelia Richardson (born Barker) (16 January 1907 – 25 April 2008) was a talented Australian artist. She was known for her pottery and crafts. Agnes was a very active part of the early art scene in Brisbane, Australia. She showed her work in many exhibitions during the 1920s and 1930s. Today, some of her amazing pieces are kept at the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art.
Agnes's Early Life and School
Agnes Barker was born in Melbourne, Australia, on 16 January 1907. Her older sister, Caroline Barker, also became a well-known artist and teacher. In 1920, Agnes and her family moved to Brisbane. She went to Somerville House school there.
In 1925, Agnes decided to study art at the Central Technical College (CTC). She learned how to sculpt and model from a teacher named L. J. Harvey. She also studied painting with F. J. Martyn Roberts. Mr. Harvey really encouraged Agnes to try sculpture. He often let her stay late at the college to keep working on her art.
By the end of the 1920s, Mr. Harvey felt he had taught Agnes everything he could. She could have gone to Sydney to study more, but she had severe asthma. Also, she didn't have enough money to go, so she stayed in Brisbane.
Agnes's Creative Career
Agnes Barker showed her art in many exhibitions during the early 1900s. She displayed her pottery at the Queensland Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association from 1927 to 1933. She also exhibited with the Royal Queensland Art Society and the Arts and Crafts Society of Queensland. In 1931, she won first prize at the Royal National Exhibition for a beautiful handmade earthenware bowl.
In the early 1930s, Agnes took a break from pottery. She started making hand-painted brooches from her home in Norman Park. These brooches were very popular! They sold so well at the Finney, Isles & Co. department store that Agnes earned enough money to travel to England in 1931.
When she came back, Agnes opened her own studio called Novelart. She bought a small printing press and a machine to cut paper. She used these to create amazing drawings and illustrations. Her works were very successful and sold well in Sydney and Melbourne. She also bought an electric kiln for pottery, but she later sold it to another artist named Marjory Clark.
During World War II, Agnes taught people how to work with leather at the Enoggera Skin Hospital. She also started a special project called The Cavalcade of Toys. For this, she made toys of fairytale characters using leftover leather pieces. These unique toys were shown at Carnegie’s in Queen Street and at Brisbane City Hall. The money raised from showing the toys went to help charities like the Red Cross and the Union Jack Club.
In the late 1940s, Agnes opened a craft shop. It was located at her sister’s art studio in George Street. However, she gave up the shop after she married Harold Richardson in 1953.
Later Life and Passing
In the 1960s, Agnes appeared on television more than fifty times. She shared her knowledge on arts and crafts shows. She also tried new art forms, like bark painting and Chinese painting. Agnes retired to Coorparoo, Queensland. She passed away on 25 April 2008.
See Also
