Christine Audrey Pecket painting 'Self Portrait in a Brown Coat at the Sydney Technical College'

The photograph shows Pecket posed as if she is painting Self Portrait in a Brown Coat (1936), a work held in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery. The photograph was published in the Sydney Morning Herald on December 7, 1937, accompanying an article about Pecket and a solo exhibition of her work at the East Sydney Technical College. Neither the writer of the article nor the photographer are named.

The painting on which Pecket appears to be working, however, is already framed, indicating it was a scene staged for publicity purposes. One of Pecket's crutches and her leg braces, which she relied on throughout her life, are clearly visible. The photograph thereby underlines the message of the accompanying article, which noted Pecket's determination in the face of physical disability and which celebrated her as an artist of great promise. In the subtitle of the article, Pecket is introduced as an 'example of courage and skill' - a description that is reinforced by the photograph.

Gift of Suzanne Playfoot 2023