Tribute to great Western Australian artist

26/05/00
The death of artist Elizabeth Durack marked the passing of a great Western Australian, Arts Minister Mike Board said today.
One of the State's most prolific and celebrated artists, Ms Durack's first exhibition 'Time and Tide' was shown in 1946 at the Museum and Art Gallery of Western Australia.
Her talent first emerged publicly much earlier, however, when she and her writer sister, the late Dame Mary, were published in a collaborative work in the Bulletin magazine in 1935.
Ms Durack held 65 solo exhibitions in Australia and overseas during her long career and was involved in many more group exhibitions.
In 1979, her striking and distinctly Western Australian work was chosen to represent the State at the celebrations for the State sesquicentenary at the World Trade Centre, New York.
In 1982, Ms Durack received the Companion of the order of St Michael and St George and an honorary Doctorate from Murdoch University.
The WA Art Gallery has a substantial collection of her works, which also can be seen in the National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of South Australia, Murdoch University, University of Western Australia and Curtin University.
"Elizabeth Durack occupied a significant place in the Australian arts community and has contributed enormously to Western Australia's cultural landscape," Mr Board said.
"Her passing is a great loss. Ms Durack was a pioneer among women and among artists, but she will continue to occupy a significant place in the community through the wonderful legacy of her art.
"I extend my condolences to Ms Durack's family."
Ms Durack is survived by a son Michael Clancy and daughter Perpetua Durack Clancy.

++++++++