Elizabeth Durack

Elizabeth Durack (1915–2000) CMG, OBE was a Western Australian artist and writer.

Early life

Born in the Perth suburb of Claremont on 6 July 1915, she was a daughter of noted Kimberley pioneer Michael Patrick Durack (1865 - 1950) [ [http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A080410b.htm Durack, Michael Patrick (1865 - 1950)] ] and younger sister of writer and historian Mary Durack(1913–1994). [ [http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A080410b.htm Durack, Mary (1913-1994)] ] The sisters were educated at the Loreto Convent in Perth, and also on the Kimberley cattle stations, Argyle and Ivanhoe. It was there that they established unique and enduring relationships with the Mirriuwong-Gajerrong people of the Ord River region. In 1936-7 the sisters travelled to Europe where Elizabeth studied at the Chelsea Polytechnic in London.

Art

Her work was notable for the way it combined and reflected both western and aboriginal perceptions of the world. Based for much of her life in remote parts of north and central Western Australia, far from the metropolitan centers of mainstream artistic activity, Durack received stimulus and inspiration from sources quite different from those of her contemporaries. [e.g. William Dobell, Arthur Boyd, Albert Tucker et al] Separated from the latter by both geography and gender, her talent emerged "... original, versatile and persistent, a xerophytic adaptation, almost, to a particularly harsh environment". [Hutchings, Patrick: "The Art of Elizabeth Durack", The Western Mail, Perth, 1981, page 9 ]

From August 1946 when she held her first exhibition in Perth, to July 2000 when an exhibition planned by the artist was held posthumously in London, Elizabeth Durack held 65 solo exhibitions and participated in many group shows. Over that time her art evolved from simple line drawings, through part-abstract metaphorical works, to the transcendent works of her last creative phase.

Awards

In recognition of services to art and literature, Elizabeth Durack was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1966 and in 1982, a Companion of St Michael and St George (CMG). In 1994 and 1996 Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia conferred upon her Honorary Doctorates of Letters.

In March 1997, Durack became the subject of controversy when she revealed through an article by art historian, Robert Smith, in the journal,"Art Monthly" that she had entered paintings into Aboriginal art exhibitions under the name Eddie Burrup. Despite the storm that followed the revelation of using the time-honoured device of a pseudonym, Elizabeth Durack continued to paint for Eddie Burrup until a few weeks before she died.

Controversy

"main article: Eddie Burrup"
In the 1990s, artworks by indigenous artist "Eddie Burrup" began to appear on the Aboriginal art scene and in 1997 it was found Burrup was the pseudonym of Elizabeth Durack who considered Burrup her "alter ego". Durack freely assumed the right to make Aboriginal art as Burrup. [ [http://www.australianbiography.gov.au/durack/video4.html Video interview] ] This was not appreciated by other Aboriginal artist nor the gallery owner who represented "Burrup". Durack continued to make art as Eddie Burrup until her death in 2000.

Legacy

The estate of Elizabeth Durack contains original material from the 1920s on through all decades up until the year 2000. The material consists principally of artworks, manuscripts, poetry and letters. During her lifetime Durack held many successful exhibitions but resisted selling certain key works that remain with the estate. Rare among artists, she produced her best work late in life.

Since her death, executors have arranged exhibitions as follows:
* "The Art of Eddie Burrup" presented by the Rebecca Hossack Gallery, London in July 2000;
* "Prelude — Early works by Elizabeth Durack 1947–50", a Travelling Exhibition, presented by Art on the Move, the National Exhibitions Touring Structure for Western Australia, in 2002–3
* an auction presented by McKenzies Auctioneers, Perth, May 2006;
* a sale of miscellaneous printed and original material, presented by Robert Muir Old and Rare Books, Perth, July 2006;
* paintings from the series, "Battle Cries" (1978) and "Bett-Bett's wonderful lonely palace ..." (1985) presented by Greenhill Galleries, Perth, May 2007
* "With outstretched arms ..." Kimberley Sisters of St John of God with children, patients and friends in postwar Broome, Derby and Beagle Bay presented by Forty7ED at the Lingiari Foundation Centre, Broome Western Australia, July 2007. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200605/s1645960.htm ABC News] ]

References

See also

* Mary Durack
* Michael Durack
* Eddie Burrup

External links

* [http://www.australianbiography.gov.au/durack/video4.html Video interview]
* [http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/IMP0067b.htm Australian Women biographical entry]