NAS Retake: Freda Robertshaw

NAS Retake: Freda Robertshaw

by Danielle Neely

The model in this painting is believed to be Rita Lee, a popular artists’ model who worked at the National Art School in the 1930s and 40s. Lee was also a model for Norman Lindsay, Max Dupain, Rah Fizelle and Ralph Balson, and later married NAS photography teacher George Young, and so had a long association with the art school.

The student who painted her was Freda Robertshaw (1916-1997), who came to study at the East Sydney Technical College at the age of 16 in 1932. She was taught by Rayner Hoff, Douglas Dundas, Charles Meere, Frank Medworth and Herbert Badham, and the focus of her study was drawing, painting and lettering. Robertshaw went on to complete her Diploma in Painting in 1937 and was a contemporary of other female students such as Roslyn Edkins, Barbara Tribe, Eileen McGrath, Jean Isherwood, Jean Halstrom, Jean Broome and Marjorie Fletcher.

Robertshaw was hugely influenced by Charles Meere’s neo-classical style. He trained her in figure painting and she later became his apprentice. Robertshaw continued to paint all her life and completed one of the first nude self-portraits by a female artist in Australia. Standing Nude, 1944 is now in the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

There are 13 works by Freda Robertshaw in the NAS Collection and this painting Seated female nude, ¾ front view, (1937) has been recently restored.

Robertshaw, Freda ARS2008.187a

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Image: Freda Robertshaw, Seated female nude, ¾ front view, c1937, oil on canvas, 63.5 x 76 cm, National Art School Collection © the Estate of Freda Robertshaw

We’re Hiring!

Lecturer Ceramics - Application Deadline Sunday 20 October

The Lecturer Ceramics is primarily responsible for teaching and supervision at all levels within the degree programs at NAS, including the development of appropriate teaching resources and related course administration within the Ceramics department. The role also requires a broad contribution to NAS operations including participation in School committees, events, student recruitment and promotional activities. You will have an excellent record of subject development and delivery in the field of Ceramics within a higher education setting.

Visit the link in bio to learn more.

Oct 6

We’re Hiring! Lecturer Ceramics - Application Deadline Sunday 20 October The Lecturer Ceramics is primarily responsible for teaching and supervision at all levels within the degree programs at NAS, including the development of appropriate teaching resources and related course administration within the Ceramics department. The role also requires a broad contribution to NAS operations including participation in School committees, events, student recruitment and promotional activities. You will have an excellent record of subject development and delivery in the field of Ceramics within a higher education setting. Visit the link in bio to learn more.

Calling all parents of budding artists, enrolment for Art Club Term 4 is open!

Art Club provides an opportunity for young artists to grow their technical, conceptual, and intellectual skills, helping them further their studies in the creative field. Each program will be guided by one of our lecturers, all of whom are successful practicing artists. There are different disciplines that students can specialize in, from sculpture to painting.

Visit the link in bio to learn more.

Oct 3

Calling all parents of budding artists, enrolment for Art Club Term 4 is open! Art Club provides an opportunity for young artists to grow their technical, conceptual, and intellectual skills, helping them further their studies in the creative field. Each program will be guided by one of our lecturers, all of whom are successful practicing artists. There are different disciplines that students can specialize in, from sculpture to painting. Visit the link in bio to learn more.

Spend your weekend at ZAHALKAWORLD: an artist’s archive, a major survey exhibition of Anne Zahalka, one of Australia’s most highly regarded photo-media artists.

A Museum of Australian Photography (MAPh) touring exhibition in a new way.

Plan your visit at the link in bio.

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Anne Zahalka, The Sunbather #1, 1989, from the series Bondi: playground of the Pacific chromogenic print, 49 x 49 cm, Courtesy of the artist, Arc One Gallery, Melbourne and Dominik Mersch Gallery, Sydney.

Oct 2

Spend your weekend at ZAHALKAWORLD: an artist’s archive, a major survey exhibition of Anne Zahalka, one of Australia’s most highly regarded photo-media artists. A Museum of Australian Photography (MAPh) touring exhibition in a new way. Plan your visit at the link in bio. _ Anne Zahalka, The Sunbather #1, 1989, from the series Bondi: playground of the Pacific chromogenic print, 49 x 49 cm, Courtesy of the artist, Arc One Gallery, Melbourne and Dominik Mersch Gallery, Sydney.

“I love the magic of watching a photo develop, but I also loved the idea of paintings by the great masters. I found myself being drawn to the art canon and then finding my own visual language to place it in a contemporary setting.” - Anne Zahalka

Read more about Anne Zahalka and her major survey exhibition ZAHALKAWORLD – an artist’s archive in The Sydney Morning Herald’s profile at the link in bio.

A Museum of Australian Photography (MAPh) touring exhibition in a new way.
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Anne Zahalka, The Cook (Michael Schmidt/architect, cook) 1987, from the series Resemblance, silver dye bleach print 80 x 80 cm, Museum of Australian Photography, City of Monash, Collection acquired with the assistance of The Robert Salzer Foundation 2019. Images courtesy of the artist, Arc One Gallery, Melbourne and Dominik Mersch Gallery, Sydney.

Sep 28

Enrol in a Term 4 Short Course Today!

With online and on-campus courses available in drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture, you`ll learn from Australia`s leading art educators.

Our short courses are designed for students of all levels of experience, from beginners to intermediate and advanced levels.

Take your practice to the next level with NAS, learn more at the link in bio.

Sep 28

Enrol in a Term 4 Short Course Today! With online and on-campus courses available in drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture, you'll learn from Australia's leading art educators. Our short courses are designed for students of all levels of experience, from beginners to intermediate and advanced levels. Take your practice to the next level with NAS, learn more at the link in bio.

We’re Hiring!

Academic Administrator - Application Deadline Sunday 29 September

The Academic Administrative Assistant plays a crucial support role within the National Art School (NAS), providing administrative assistance for academic affairs and executive support to key leadership positions. This role works closely with the Academic Leadership Team to ensure efficient operations and support for NAS’s academic functions. This role is a six month fixed term contract, four days per week.

Learning Designer - Application Deadline Sunday 29 September

The Learning Designer is a crucial role within the National Art School (NAS), supporting the Head of Learning and Teaching in curriculum development and program reaccreditation. This position is responsible for managing the current learning portal and overseeing the transition to a new SharePoint/LMS system, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, student-centric online learning experiences.

Visit the link in bio to learn more.

Sep 27

We’re Hiring! Academic Administrator - Application Deadline Sunday 29 September The Academic Administrative Assistant plays a crucial support role within the National Art School (NAS), providing administrative assistance for academic affairs and executive support to key leadership positions. This role works closely with the Academic Leadership Team to ensure efficient operations and support for NAS’s academic functions. This role is a six month fixed term contract, four days per week. Learning Designer - Application Deadline Sunday 29 September The Learning Designer is a crucial role within the National Art School (NAS), supporting the Head of Learning and Teaching in curriculum development and program reaccreditation. This position is responsible for managing the current learning portal and overseeing the transition to a new SharePoint/LMS system, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, student-centric online learning experiences. Visit the link in bio to learn more.