B. 1925 – 1998

Barbara Brash is renowned for her dynamic and experimental approach to printmaking. A key figure in Melbourne's printmaking revival during the 1950s and '60s, Brash’s work is marked by a rich synthesis of colour, gesture and texture, often exploring abstract forms and the natural world. She was particularly known for her innovative use of linocut, etching, and lithography, techniques that established her as one of the most prominent printmakers of her generation.

Brash’s artistic journey began in 1946 at the National Gallery School, where she studied under newly appointed modernist professor Alan Sumner. Her involvement with the George Bell School, where she developed close relationships with artists like Dorothy Braund and Evelyn Syme, was instrumental in shaping her creative path. Her early works, particularly her linocuts, are considered some of her finest, and are housed in many prominent institutions today.

In 1950, Brash traveled to Europe, further expanding her artistic horizons. Upon returning to Melbourne in 1951, she became an active participant in the city’s modernist art scene, exhibiting with the Melbourne Contemporary Artists and the George Bell Group. Brash’s work garnered national and international attention, with exhibitions in the United States, Japan, Singapore, and Poland.

A prominent member of the Print Council of Australia, Brash’s work was celebrated for its technical mastery and innovative spirit. Posthumously, her contributions continue to be recognized, with major exhibitions such as Barbara Brash—Holding Form at Geelong Gallery in 2022 reaffirming her legacy as a groundbreaking artist.

To read a more in-depth biography of the artist, click here.