B. 1939 - 1991

Barbara Hanrahan was an Australian artist, printmaker and writer born in Adelaide. Hanrahan is most celebrated for her figurative linocuts and etchings that delve into themes of womanhood and relationships through a feminist lens, creating over 400 prints over her career.

Hanrahan was educated at Thebarton Technical School, Adelaide Teacher’s College and the South Australian School of Art, and later taught art at a secondary school level. It was not until 1963 when she pursued her printmaking and enrolled in printmaking at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London. She taught art in London for four years between 1966-70 and met her life partner and sculptor Jo Steele during this period. Being South Australian-born as well, Steele and Hanrahan lived between Adelaide and London for the next twenty years.

In addition to her artistic practice, Hanrahan was a successful writer of memoirs, autobiographical fiction and gothic novels, producing fifteen books from 1973 until her death in 1991. Hanrahan died prematurely from cancer at the age of 52. Her works are held in major art galleries across Australia, including at the National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of NSW and the Art Gallery of South Australia. 

For a more in-depth biography of this artist, click here.