Margo Lewers facts for kids

Margo Lewers (1908–1978) was a talented Australian artist. She created many different types of art, including paintings, sculptures, tapestries, and ceramics. Margo was known for her big art projects in public places. She also designed the gardens and inside of her family home in Emu Plains.

Her early artworks used clear shapes and bright colours. Later, her art became more flowing and expressive. Margo showed her art all over Australia and in other countries too. She won at least fourteen awards for her amazing work. Today, the Penrith Regional Gallery and Lewers Bequest is located on her old property in Emu Plains.

Early Life and Art Training

Margo Lewers was born in Mosman, Sydney. Her birth name was Margo Plate. Her father, Adolph Gustav Plate, was a writer and artist from Germany. Her mother, Elsie Gill, was from England. Margo was the older sister of another artist, Carl Plate.

In the late 1920s, Margo took evening art classes with Antonio Dattilo-Rubbo. There, she met Gerald Lewers, who would later become her husband. Margo traveled to Europe with Gerald. She studied art at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London during 1934 and 1935. After returning to Sydney, she continued her art studies. From 1940 to 1945, she took more evening classes with Desiderius Orban.

Margo Lewers' Art Career

Early in her career, Margo Lewers opened an interior design shop called Notanda Galleries. This shop was inspired by the Bauhaus art school. It offered design advice and sold unique items. These items included pottery, furniture, and handmade objects.

During this time, Margo created art for a solo exhibition. She worked on designs for linen and ceramics. She also designed furniture to match the decor of her family home. Notanda Galleries was open from 1935 to 1939. It closed because of rules during World War II.

In the 1940s, Margo joined the Sydney branch of the Contemporary Art Society. She showed her art in their yearly exhibitions. The Art Gallery of New South Wales bought one of her paintings. It was called Composition in Blue. This was the first artwork they bought from the Contemporary Art Society.

In 1951, Margo and Gerald Lewers moved to Emu Plains with their two children, Tanya and Darani. In 1952, Margo and Gerald had a joint art show. It was at the David Jones Art Gallery. Margo showed her paintings, and Gerald showed his sculptures.

Margo and Gerald were very creative with their new home. They designed the garden and added outdoor sculptures. Because of this, they received a special project in 1957. They were asked to create a garden for the MLC Building in North Sydney. This garden featured pebbles, cacti, and sandstone.

In 1960, Margo had a solo exhibition at Gallery A. This was an important art space in Sydney. Two years later, Gerald passed away. In 1965, Margo finished a large public sculpture project for him. It was called "Expansion" and was for the Reserve Bank in Canberra.

In 1966, Margo had another solo show of her paintings. This was at Macquarie Galleries. In 1968, she received another big project. The Reserve Bank of Australia asked her to create a tapestry for their boardroom.

Where to See Her Art

Margo Lewers' artworks are held in many public art collections. This means you can see her art in galleries and museums.

• Art Gallery of New South Wales
• Crushers Collection of Women's Art
• Mosman Art Gallery
• National Gallery of Australia
• National Gallery of Victoria
• Penrith Regional Art Gallery and Lewers Bequest
• Queensland Art Gallery
• UNSW