The estate of Marjorie Lamb

THE ESTATE OF MARJORIE LAMB

The estate of Marjorie Lamb

In the mid-nineties, Principal Dr Judith Hancock had initiated a project to acquire ceramics to enhance the school’s fine arts collection. The estate of a former student, Marjorie Lamb (1914-1918) donated money and two beautiful ceramic pieces were added to the collection. Peter Travis practiced as an industrial designer, ceramicist, kite-maker, swimwear designer, colour consultant and teacher. He was invited to work for Speedo in the 1960s and designed the men’s swimsuit that became Speedo's most famous design and an icon of Australia – the speedo. The costume was controversial at the time and is now fondly referred to as the 'budgie smuggler'. Travis was one of the first contemporary Australian potters to break away from the wheel and to create hand-built organic sculptural works. This ceramic sphere, purchased in 1996, fired in pink and grey glaze and handmade, is made up of interwoven loops of clay making a ball.

He exhibited nationally and internationally, and his work is represented in many major Australian and international collections.

In 2008 Travis was made Member of the Order of Australia for his outstanding contribution to the visual arts, crafts, design and art education.

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Hiroe Swen was born in Kyoto and studied for five years under the Master Potter Zenko Yasuda, before migrating to Australia in 1968 with her husband, artist Cornel Swen. She specialises in one-off, hand built sculptural ceramics of bold and contemporary design but simple shapes. This large glazed and painted ikebana vase, purchased for the school ceramics collection in 1998, is a beautiful example of her work.

Swen has exhibited extensively in Australia and internationally. Her work is represented in the collections of the Australian National Gallery and all State Art Galleries as well as major collections across the world. In 2016, Swen was awarded The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays by the Government of Japan for her contribution to the promotion of Japanese culture and mutual understanding between Japan and Australia, as well as her achievements in ceramics.

Marjorie Lamb, 1918 front centre