Lola Ryan facts for kids

Lola Ryan (1925–2003) was a talented Australian artist. She was known for her amazing shell art. Lola was from the Tharawal and Eora Aboriginal peoples. She lived in a place called La Perouse. Her beautiful shell artworks are now kept in many museums across Australia.

About Lola Ryan

Lola Ryan was born in 1925 and passed away in 2003. She belonged to the Tharawal and Eora Aboriginal groups. Lola grew up in La Perouse, a coastal area.

She learned the special art of shellworking from her family. This skill was passed down through generations. Lola often created her shell art with her sister, Mavis Longbottom. The sisters started selling their shell creations when they were still children. They would gather shells from Yarra Beach and other spots along the coast of New South Wales.

Her Amazing Shell Art

Lola Ryan's shell art is known for being very bright and colorful. Her pieces often look "encrusted" with many shells. They were usually made to be displayed as art in people's homes.

In the late 1990s, Lola started working with an art collector named Peter Fay. Around the same time, her art began to be shown in galleries. In 2001, her work was featured at Gitte Weise's Gallery.

Lola Ryan's artwork is now part of the permanent collections of several important museums. You can see her pieces at the National Gallery of Australia and the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Her art is also at the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery and the Australian National Maritime Museum. The Museum of Contemporary Art and the Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences also have her work.