B. 1890 - 1947

Among others, Ethel Spowers is credited with modernism to Australia. As the daughter of a newspaper proprietor she had the means to travel and in doing so, studied art in Paris and London under visionary Claude Flight at the Grosevnor School. A passionate advocate for printmaking, Flight and his students forged a style that embraced movement, optimism and the opening of a new era.

Spowers is remembered for her vivacious spirit, innovative compositions and Japanese inspired woodblock prints. The topic of ongoing research and enthusiastic collecting, she is represented across public collections including at the National Gallery of Victoria and the National Gallery of New South Wales. Eternally vibrant, Spowers asks “all lovers of art be tolerant to new ideas, and not to condemn without understanding”. A call we would still benefit to heed.

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