Thea Proctor, artist and stylesetter, trained at Sydney's Julian Ashton School before leaving for London in 1903. When she returned to Sydney in 1921, her art and ideas were at the forefront of contemporary art and design in Australia; her authoritative opinions on decoration, colour, interior design, flower arrangement, ballet and fashion were widely published in journals such as The Home. After moving to Double Bay in the 1930s, Proctor made a slender living from exhibitions, commissioned drawings and from teaching. The subject of this work, Diana Pockley (1913–2011), was one of the influential, cultivated women who came to Proctor's apartment for art lessons and conversation. English-born Pockley was an outstanding needleworker who helped establish the NSW Embroiderers Guild. Also a keen gardener, she founded the National Trust of Australia (NSW) Garden Committee in 1964 to raise funds for gardens in the Trust's care, and she was involved with Trust's Women's Committee in fundraising for the restoration of a number of historic properties. Pockley and Proctor lived close to each other, and would often paint together in Pockley's garden.
Gift of Dr Simon Pockley, in memory of Diana Pockley 2023. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.
© Art Gallery of New South Wales
Dr Simon Pockley (1 portrait)
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