Joy Hester (1920-1960) was the only female member of the Angry Penguin movement, which included artists Tucker, Sidney Nolan and Arthur Boyd. During her lifetime Hester's contribution was overshadowed by her male contemporaries, however her work is now widely acknowledged. She is best known for her drawings, characterised by intense imagery and ability to economically convey states of mind and emotions. Hester's life was beset by tragedy. Diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease at the age of 27, she left Tucker for fellow artist, Gray Smith, and gave her son, Sweeney, to friends John and Sunday Reed for adoption. Despite a bleak prognosis, Hester continued to work until her death in 1960.
Updated 2023
