Nancy Borlase facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nancy Borlase
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| Born |
Nancy Wilmot Borlase
24 March 1914 Taihape, New Zealand
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| Died | 11 September 2006 (aged 92) Sydney, Australia
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| Education | East Sydney Technical College |
| Known for | Painter, art critic |
| Movement | Abstract impressionism |
| Spouse(s) |
Laurie Short
(m. 1941) |
Nancy Wilmot Borlase (born March 24, 1914, died September 11, 2006) was an important artist. She was born in New Zealand but became famous in Australia. Nancy Borlase was known for her unique paintings. These included abstract art, which uses shapes and colors instead of real-life objects. She also painted portraits of people. Besides being an artist, she was also an art critic. This means she wrote about and reviewed other artists' work. You can see her art in big galleries like the National Gallery of Australia.
Becoming an Artist
Nancy Borlase was born in Taihape, New Zealand, in 1914. When she was 16, she knew she wanted to be an artist. She moved to Christchurch to study art. There, she learned at the Canterbury College School of Art. Her teacher was Francis Shurrock.
In 1937, when she was 22, Nancy moved to Australia. She continued her art studies in Sydney. She learned life drawing and sculpture at East Sydney Technical College. Her teachers included Frank Medworth and Lynden Dadswell. She also studied with Rah Fizelle and Grace Crowley. Later, she decided to focus mainly on painting.
Art Style and Influences
Nancy Borlase first painted in a figurative style. This means her art showed real objects and people. But over time, she changed to abstract impressionism. This style uses colors and brushstrokes to show feelings or ideas. It doesn't try to look exactly like real life.
In 1956, Nancy traveled to New York. This trip greatly influenced her art. She saw the work of famous abstract artists. These included Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, and Mark Rothko. Their bold and expressive styles inspired her. She also took other study trips to the USA and Europe. In 1976, she visited China as an art writer.
Art Critic and Writer
Besides creating art, Nancy Borlase also wrote about it. She worked as an art critic. From 1972 to 1973, she wrote for The Bulletin magazine in Sydney. After that, she wrote for The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper starting in 1973. Her writing helped people understand and appreciate art.
Nancy Borlase was also involved in the art community. In 1939, she joined the Contemporary Art Society in New South Wales. She was an active member of their committee for many years.
Personal Life
For a time, Nancy lived near another famous artist, Sidney Nolan, in Melbourne. She became friends with John Reed, who supported many artists. Nancy also worked as an artist's model. In 1941, she married Laurie Short, who was a well-known trade union leader.
Nancy Borlase passed away on September 11, 2006, in Sydney, Australia. Her art continues to be shown in major galleries.
