Locating 'Lady Woodcarvers of Rockhampton'
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1017/S1321816600002245Keywords:
'Lady Woodcarvers of Rockhampton' exhibition, Central Queensland woodcarvingAbstract
Glenn R. Cooke curated ‘Lady Woodcarvers of Rockhampton’, an exhibition held at the Rockhampton Art Gallery from 7 April to 28 May, 2000.
The exhibition ‘Lady woodcarvers of Rockhampton’ opened at the Rockhampton Art Gallery on 8 April as that institution's major contribution to a series of events to celebrate ‘Beef 2000’. For those who attended the opening, apart from the descendants of the woodcarvers themselves, it was a revelation. Although the exhibition only included twenty-five items, most were on a scale that commanded the space of the Gallery. The display included two wardrobes, two settles, a twotiered cupboard, a kitchen dresser, chest of drawers and double bed as well as coffee tables, chairs, small tables, cupboards and a paper-rack. Until this exhibition, the history of woodcarving in Central Queensland had never been documented.
References
I use the term ‘Lady Woodcarvers’ in recognition of the conventions of the period. The term ‘lady’ meant a woman of refined sensibilities. Daisy Archer's status as a ‘lady’ was assured by her position in the squattocracy and her good works on committees. However, even working class women could achieve this appellation: for example, one of Cissie Allan's students referred to her as ‘tall, thin and such a lady’.
Links can also be broken. One of the biggest disappointments of the exhibition was not being able to include an example of Eunice Reid's carving. Her skills could only be indicated by the photograph of an elaborate hall table by her in the possession of a nephew in Melbourne who had since moved and the contact lost. Another nephew, who lives in Yeppoon, identified himself to the gallery staff, but the carvings in his possession have yet to be investigated.
Dated pieces are the exception. Apart from the occasional documentary (a chest carved by Clara Hutton was illustrated in the Morning Bulletin in 1924) or personal details (both Joan Archer and Doris Aagaard made small tables as wedding gifts for Lady Archer in 1930) it is impossible to date objects accurately.
Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton, 10 June 1910, 8.
Unidentified press cutting, referring to the 1915 exhibitions.
Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton, 22 June 1919, 7.
Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton, 23 June 1937, 5.
Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton, 24 June 1926, 12.
Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton, 29 June 1928, 12; Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton, 6 June 1930, 13. A male exhibitor from Stanthorpe, P. J. Finnerty, took most of the first prizes. Other men exhibited occasionally. Doris Witman (who is probably the same person as the exhibiter in 1930) and a Mrs Hutton also exhibited in 1964 (Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton 17 June 1964, 11). This would have been a different Mrs Hutton as both Clara and Mildred had died by this time, unless a family member exhibited work posthumously.
Morning Bulletin, Rockhampton, 22 June 1932, 11.
