Marea Gazzard
“The most impressive aspect of Marea Gazzard’s long working life, and the one that constitutes her claim on our attention as an artist of the first order, is its integrity. Everything Marea Gazzard does, every move she makes into new areas of practice and reference, belongs to a single sensibility and consciousness, a single vision of what a life and a body of work, when completed and seen whole, might be.” (David Malouf, 2007)
Marea Gazzard’s career as an artist, spanning over fifty years, has been marked by a fine record of exhibitions, including a major retrospective at the S H Ervin Gallery in 1994, accompanied by a perceptive monograph by Christine France. In 1973 she and Mona Hessing mounted the now historic exhibition CLAY + FIBRE at the National Gallery of Victoria. In 2013 a survey of 30 years of her work was staged at Utopia Art Sydney. In the same year, Gazzard’s last major work, Selini I, was installed at the entrance of the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Gazzard has completed major public commissions, such as the bronze “Mingarri: The Little Olgas” in the executive forecourt of Parliament House (1984-88), Canberra and a ceramic sculpture for the Athens Olympics (2004). Gazzard was acknowledged for her contribution to art in Australia with a Member of the Order of Australia in 1979, and in 1989 she was the first woman to be awarded an Australian Artists Creative Fellowship. Her work is in all of Australia’s leading public collections.
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Art Gallery of NSWUntil January 7, 2024
To coincide with the launch of his new book Ceramics: An Atlas of Forms, Glenn Barkley has curated an exhibition drawing from the Art Gallery of NSW collection, 'Brick Vase Clay Cup Jug'.
This exhibition includes works by both Marea Gazzard and Pat Larter.
Brown PotsFrom November 20
The Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) in Victoria has just opened its impressive new gallery. SAM has one of Australia's most important ceramic collections, and this exhibition is the first of a series commemorating their collection. Includes Marea Gazzard
FORM: NERAM31 July - 13 September 2020
FORM explores how viewers experience sculpture and its material, scale and tactility.
From the New England Regional Art Museum collection in Armidale, NSW
Includes Christopher Hodges, Marea Gazzard, and John R Walker
Gifting exhibition at Penrith Regional Galleryto November 17 2019
Marea Gazzard's work among the recent acquisitions included in this exhibition
Borrowed SceneryJanuary 2 - March 10, 2109
Borrowed Scenery features works from the Campbelltown City collection to explore representation of women in their collection and exhibitions. Includes Marea Gazzard and Makinti Napanangka.
Crafting The House On The Hill5 July to 4 November, 2018
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the opening of the Australian Parliament House in Canberra, The Canberra Museum and Art Gallery have curated an exhibition of artists commissioned for large works in the building, including Marea Gazzard.
Earth & Fire18 March - 21 May
Marea Gazzard & Glenn Barkley, exhibit in 'Earth & Fire', curated by Vanessa Van Ooyen at QUT Art Museum.
Ceramics from the QUT Art Collection
QUT Art Museum: Brisbane
80/80 Eighty years of SAMFrom 1 March
Shepparton Art Museum is celebrating 80 years with a publication and exhibition of the highlights of their collection.
Marea Gazzard is included in the Shepparton Art Museum's collection, which has a strong focus on contemporary ceramics.
Turn Turn TurnJune 2015
Works by Marea Gazzard and Brett Stone are included in ‘Turn Turn Turn: The Studio Ceramics Tradition at the National Art School'.
The exhibition runs from 5 June to 8 August at the National Art School Gallery.
Opening night: Thursday 4 June 6-8pm
Image: Marea Gazzard 'Rae II' 2001
Vale Marea GazzardOctober 2013
Today we mourn the loss of one of our most treasured artists, Marea Gazzard AM.
Marea passed away peacefully earlier this morning, Monday 28th October, with the same grace and dignity she has displayed throughout her life. She was 85.
After a life of sculpture in clay and bronze Marea has left a significant legacy with important works in our leading public institutions and private collections.
This year alone has seen a survey of her work of the last 30 years at Utopia Art Sydney, the celebration of her work 'Mingarri' which sits at the centre of our Parliament House in Canberra, and the installation of her last major work, 'Selini 1' in the entrance of the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
David Malouf summed it up in an essay of 2007:
"The most impressive aspect of Marea Gazzard's long working life, and the one that constitutes her claim on our attention as an artist of the first order, is its integrity. Everything Marea Gazzard does, every move she makes into new areas of practice and reference, belongs to a single sensibility and consciousness, a single vision of what a life and a body of work, when completed and seen whole, might be."
Her career is marked by a fine record of solo exhibitions, a major retrospective at the S H Ervin Museum in 1994 and a perceptive monograph by Christine France.
Marea also made a significant contribution in addition to her artistic career. In 1970 she was elected Director of the World Craft Council, in 1972 she became Vice President of the World Crafts Council for Asia and in 1973 the inaugural Chair of the Australia Council Crafts Board. In 1980 she became the first elected President of the World Craft Council and in 1982 was appointed to the Australian National Commission of UNESCO.
Marea Gazzard enjoyed the respect of her peers and will be sadly missed by many younger artists who have enjoyed her perceptive comments and generous support. Marea was always very appreciative of the support she received from those that appreciated her work.
Marea is survived by her son and daughter and two grandsons. There will be private cremation.
Marea GazzardSeptember 2013
'Selini 1' installed at the AGNSW this week.