Screens, Greens and Washing Machines
Press Release
Dates: 5 December 2007 – 26 March 2008
Curated by David Bridgeman, with Natalie Coleman
Sponsored by Rawlinson & Hunter and The Visual Arts Society
Exhibition Synopsis:
Propelled, in the most classic sense, by a creative passion, Margaret Barwick – artist, horticulturalist, diplomatic wife and teacher – has had a life-long interest and passion for tropical plant life that is rivalled only by her love of painting.
While living in such diverse communities as New Zealand, the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Malawi, the British Virgin Islands, USA, France and the Cayman Islands Margaret balanced her responsibilities as the wife of a senior civil servant with an endless stream of creative projects – whether designing a country’s first set of definitive stamps; creating a primary school in the outer Gilbert and Ellis islands; founding Cayman’s Botanical Gardens, instigating Cayman’s first comprehensive arts society, or travelling around the globe to research her definitive encyclopaedia of tropical plants.
This exhibition explores these various vehicles of artistic expression and in doing so celebrates the life of a unique individual whose endless creative energy has provided inspiration for seasoned art collectors, aspiring artists and avid gardeners alike.
For information and interview scheduling contact David Bridgeman or Natalie Coleman at the National Gallery at 945 8111.