Margaret Preston

Margaret Preston was an Australian painter, wood engraver, art teacher and print maker.Art Education: Margaret Preston

Training

In an article written in 1927, Preston traces her decision to become an artist to a visit to the Art Gallery of South Wales when she was 12. She began her formal training with William Lister Lister, and later studied with Frederick McCubbin at the National Gallery of Victoria Art School .Official Site: Margaret Preston Early Years

Experience

Preston traveled extensively to locations both in Australia and around the world. These experiences were later incorporated in her art, which was said to reflect Chinese, Japanese and European influences.EvaBreuer: Margaret Preston Travels In 1918, Preston taught shell-shocked solders ceramics, basket-weaving, and printmaking at a hospital in London. On her way back to Australia, she met her husband, who she married in 1919 at the age of forty-four.Australian Dictionary of Biography: Margaret Preston Biography

Aboriginal Influence

In her later years, Preston began to incorporate Aboriginal themes into her work, merging native icons with influences from Chinese and Japanese imagery. Some praised her for raising visibility of indigenous Australians, whereas others accused her of exploitation.Skwirk.com.au: Margaret Preston