Erica McGilchrist facts for kids

Erica McGilchrist (10 February 1926 – 9 May 2014) was an Australian artist. She was also a co-founder of the Women's Art Register. This group helps to record and promote art made by women. Erica had over 40 solo art shows and was part of many group exhibitions. Her artworks are kept in museums and private collections in Australia, the UK, Israel, and the USA. In 1992, she received the Medal of the Order of Australia. This award recognized her important work for women's art.

About Erica McGilchrist

Early Life and Art

Erica McGilchrist was born in Mt Gambier, South Australia. When she was young, she loved to dance. She took dance classes in Adelaide and Melbourne. At the same time, she also took art classes. She started these art classes at age ten and continued for ten years. She studied at the SA School of Arts and Crafts.

In 1946, Erica finished her studies at Adelaide Teachers College. She became a teacher. But after two years, she stopped teaching to focus on dancing in Melbourne. Soon, art became more important than dance for her. She held her first art show in 1951. This was the first of many exhibitions.

In the early 1950s, Erica also started art therapy sessions. These were held at Kew Mental Hospital. Art therapy uses art to help people with their feelings. She also painted backgrounds and costumes for the Ballet Guild. From 1952 to 1955, she took part-time art classes at RMIT. In 1960-61, Erica continued her art studies in Munich, Germany. She received a special grant to do this. After her studies, she had art shows in Munich and London.

Promoting Women's Art

In the mid-1970s, a new wave of feminism started. This was a movement that worked for women's rights. Erica was a leader in this movement for art. She helped to promote and record art made by women. She was a co-founder of the Women's Art Register. She was in charge of the group from 1978 to 1989.

Her Artworks

Erica used many different art materials. These included works on paper, embroidery (art made with needle and thread), and paintings.

You can see Erica McGilchrist's artworks in these collections:

• National Gallery of Victoria Artists | NGV
• Art Gallery of New South Wales Works by Erica McGilchrist | Art Gallery of NSW
• Heide Museum of Modern Art ERICA MCGILCHRIST

Awards and Special Projects

Erica's art often received special recognition:

• 1950s: She shared the Adelaide Advertiser prize for Contemporary Art.
• 1958: She won the Helena Rubinstein Mural Prize. Her mural was placed at the Women’s University College in Melbourne.
• 1960s: She was chosen to design a postage stamp.
• 1969: The Victorian Ministry of the Arts asked her to decorate a tram.
• 1970: The ABC made a 30-minute film about a special exhibition of her work. This exhibition was at the University of Western Australia.
• 1992: She received the Medal of the Order of Australia. This was for her important contributions to women's art.

Exhibitions of Her Work

Erica held over 40 solo exhibitions. She also took part in many group exhibitions across Australia.

• 1995: She organized the 'Bias Binding': Women's Art Register exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria.
• 1995: A large exhibition showing her work from many years was held at the Caulfield Arts Complex.
• 2014: Another special exhibition of her work was held at the Heide Museum of Modern Art.