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Marea Gazzard

Photo of Marea Gazzard by David Moore.jpg
Portrait of Marea Gazzard, 1963, photograph by David Moore
Born
Marea Medis

(1928-06-02)2 June 1928
Sydney, Australia
Died 28 October 2013(2013-10-28) (aged 85)
Sydney, Australia
Nationality Australian
Education East Sydney Technical College, Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, National Art School
Known for Sculpture, ceramics
Spouse(s)
Donald Gazzard
(m. 1950)

Marea Gazzard AM (born June 2, 1928 – died October 28, 2013) was an important Australian artist. She was famous for her sculptures and ceramic artworks.

Marea Gazzard's Early Life and Education

Marea Gazzard was born as Marea Medis in Sydney, Australia. She loved art from a young age. She started her art journey by studying ceramics. From 1953 to 1955, she attended the East Sydney Technical College. This school is now known as the National Art School.

Studying Art in London

After her studies in Sydney, Marea traveled to Europe. She wanted to learn more about art. From 1955 to 1959, she studied in London. She enrolled at the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. While there, she became friends with two famous ceramic artists, Lucie Rie and Hans Coper. They inspired her work greatly.

Returning to Australia and Opening a Studio

When Marea returned to Sydney, she continued her art education. She studied sculpture at the National Art School. Her teacher was Lyndon Dadswell, a well-known sculptor. In 1960, Marea opened her own art studio. It was located in Paddington, New South Wales. By 1963, she held her very first solo art show. This was a big step in her career.

Key Exhibitions and Famous Artworks

Marea Gazzard had a very successful career showing her art. Many people saw her unique sculptures and ceramics.

Important Exhibitions

In 1973, Marea was invited to a special exhibition. It was held at the National Gallery of Victoria. The show was called 'Clay and Fibre'. She exhibited alongside another artist named Mona Hessing. This was a very important event in the art world. Later, in 1994, a large show of Marea's work took place. It was at the S. H. Ervin Gallery in Sydney. A book about her art was also released at this time.

Major Public Artworks

Marea Gazzard created several large artworks for public spaces. One of her most famous pieces is 'Mingarri: The Little Olgas'. This sculpture was installed in 1988. You can find it in the Executive Court of Parliament House in Canberra. Another important artwork is 'Bindu', created in 2004. This piece was specially made for the Athens Olympic Art Program. It was part of the Olympic Games in Greece.

Where to See Her Art

Marea Gazzard's art is part of many museum collections. You can see her work in places like the National Gallery of Victoria. Her art is also at the National Gallery of Australia. The Newcastle Art Gallery also has some of her pieces. A portrait of Marea Gazzard was painted by Judy Cassab. This portrait is displayed at the National Portrait Gallery, Australia.

Marea Gazzard's Impact on the Arts

Beyond her own art, Marea Gazzard played a big role in the arts community. She was very active in the international Arts and Crafts movement. This movement focused on handmade objects and traditional skills. In 1980, she made history. She became the first elected president of the World Crafts Council. This shows how respected and influential she was in the world of crafts and art.

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