Klytie Pate facts for kids

Klytie Pate (born October 20, 1912 – died June 10, 2010) was a famous Australian artist. She made amazing pottery in her own studio. Klytie was known for her unique glazes and detailed designs. She would carve, pierce, and decorate her earthenware pots. She was one of the first artists in Australia to make pottery a true art form in the 1930s. Her early work was greatly influenced by her aunt, Christian Waller, who was also an artist.

Klytie's Early Life

Klytie Pate was born in Melbourne in 1912. Her full name was Clytie Winifred Wingfield Sclater. When she was 13, Klytie went to live with her aunt Christian and uncle Napier Waller. They were both artists and encouraged her love for art.

She spent a lot of time at their art studio. This helped her work show influences from different art styles. These included Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and even ancient Egyptian art and Greek mythology. Klytie also made plaster masks and tried linocut printing. Her aunt Christian helped her study sculpting with Ola Cohn, a famous Melbourne sculptor.

In 1931, Klytie studied painting and drawing. She went to the National Gallery of Victoria Art School. Later, in 1933, she took classes at Melbourne Technical College. This school is now known as RMIT University. There, she learned drawing, modeling, and pottery. Her talent and training helped her become a recognized artist.

Klytie was also inspired by Australia's unique plants and animals. She loved going on trips to the bush. She visited places like the Mornington Peninsula and the Dandenongs.

Pre-War Years and Marriage

Klytie met William Pate in an art class at RMIT. He later became a graphic designer and painter. They got married in 1937. They built a small cottage called "Joliwynds" near Mount Dandenong. This area was full of bush animals and birds. These animals often became subjects in Klytie's pottery.

During this time, Klytie's work showed a strong "Australiana" influence. She often carved Australian animals like lyrebirds and kangaroos. She also included native flowers in her pottery designs.

After the War

In 1941, Klytie had her first art show. It was at the Kozminsky Gallery in Melbourne. She continued to show her pottery regularly for the next 50 years. She taught at Melbourne Technical College until 1945. After that, she focused on making pottery full-time.

In 1947, Klytie and another artist, Alan Lowe, made history. They were the first potters to have their studio pottery bought by the National Gallery of Victoria. In 1983, Klytie was the first woman in her field to have a special show of her past works at the National Gallery of Victoria. In 2008, she was the only living Australian artist in an Art Deco exhibition at the NGV.

Her pottery is also displayed at "Beleura" on the Mornington Peninsula. This is a historic house managed by the National Trust of Australia. The owner of Beleura, John Tallis, was a friend of the Pates. He collected many of Klytie's pots.

Klytie's Pottery Style

Klytie Pate made pottery in many different shapes and sizes. She created a huge amount of pottery over the years. Most of her work is now in private collections across Australia. This makes it hard to see all her amazing pieces. Even so, art galleries often had to wait a long time to show her work.

She made many things, including:

• Lidded jars
• Large bowls and vases
• Lamp bases
• Jugs
• Animal and bird figures
• Decorated plates
• Wall tiles
• Tea sets and mugs

Klytie went through different periods in her work. Sometimes she focused on a certain color glaze. Other times, she explored a specific shape or theme. But one special thing about her work is that almost no two pieces are exactly the same. The only exceptions were sets of cups and saucers.

Klytie did every step of the pottery-making process herself. She was very careful about the clay she chose. In her later years, she worked from a studio in her home.

In 1991, Klytie received a special award. She was given the Order of Australia for her service to the arts. This award recognized her important contributions to ceramic art and sculpture.

Where to See Klytie's Art

You can find Klytie Pate's pottery in several important collections:

• National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, VIC
• City of Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, Ballarat, VIC
• Beleura, National Trust of Australia, Mornington, VIC
• National Museum of Australia, Canberra, NSW
• The Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, NSW
• Shepparton Art Museum, Shepparton, VIC