Under a Modern Sun: Art in Queensland 1930s–1950s

233 232 Under a Modern Sun: Art in Queensland 1930s–1950s AGNES BARKER Agnes Barker worked across a range of creative fields throughout her long and productive life. Born in Melbourne, Barker moved to Brisbane with her family in 1920, and became a pupil of renowned sculptor, wood carver and potter L J Harvey at the Central Technical College when she was 18. Harvey recognised Barker’s skills and offered her additional opportunities, allowing her to work after-hours at the college and encouraging her to take up sculpture. While Barker’s asthma prevented her from undertaking further study in Sydney, she continued her artistic endeavours in Brisbane, making handpainted brooches which she sold through Finney Isles & Co. department store. 1 Barker exhibited pottery with the Queensland Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association (1927–33), the Arts and Crafts Society of Queensland (1930–31) and the Royal Queensland Art Society (1929–32), and was awarded first prize in the 1931 Royal National Exhibition for her hand-crafted bowl made from local clay. 2 Fruit bowl 1931 is a fine example of Barker’s skills in modelling, and of the nuanced effects she achieved with modulated glazes. The bowl features three ‘grotesques’ that create decorative interest and double as supports. Barker made the vessel in the year she travelled to London, where she learned pewter enamelling. On her return to Brisbane, she began to make plaques and boxes in the medium. After opening a studio in Queen Street, she found her work as an illustrator increased and, despite having purchased a kiln in 1933, gave up pottery the following year. 3 In the late 1940s, Barker operated a craft shop from the studio of her sister, painter and teacher Caroline Barker, and in the 1950s and 1960s demonstrated craft techniques on television. 4 Notes 1 Glenn R Cooke, ‘Agnes Barker and Queensland clays’, in Glenn R Cooke, Dianne Byrne, Sheila Gould & Timothy Roberts, With Heart and Hand: Art Pottery in Queensland 1900–1950 , Griffith University Art Museum, South Brisbane, 2018, p.76. 2 Glenn R Cooke, ‘Agnes Frances Amelia Barker’, Design & Art Australia Online , 1995, <https://www.daao.org.au/bio/agnes-frances-amelia-barker/biography/> , viewed December 2024. 3 Cooke, ‘Agnes Frances Amelia Barker’. 4 Cooke, ‘Agnes Frances Amelia Barker’. Agnes Barker , Fruit bowl 1931