Anne Dangar

Anne Dangar showcases the innovation of this Australian pioneer of Cubism in the twentieth century.

Anne Dangar (1885–1951) occupies a unique position in art history as one of Australia’s most important, yet underacknowledged modern artists.

Almost a century ago in 1930, she moved permanently to the artist colony Moly-Sabata in France, established by the cubist painter Albert Gleizes. Over the next two decades, she dedicated herself to Cubism, developing a distinct practice that synthesised traditional French pottery with cubist designs and decorations.

Dangar is one of very few Australian artists to form part of the European avant-garde in the twentieth century, and the only to meaningfully contribute to Cubism in France, her adopted home. She was also a dedicated advocate and promoter of modern art in Australia, the first to teach and arguably to exhibit cubist art in the country, and she directly influenced the development of abstraction in Sydney from the 1930s onwards.

Bringing together ceramics, paintings, works on paper and archival material, this exhibition will explore Dangar’s life and practice, as well as her important position in French modern art as one of most dedicated and truly modern Australian artists of the twentieth century.

The exhibition is accompanied by a major publication led by Rebecca Edwards with contributions from Peter Brooke, Angela Goddard, ADS Donaldson, Elena Taylor and Anne O’Hehir.

Anne Dangar is a Know My Name project, the National Gallery initiative celebrating the work of all women artists to enhance understanding of their contribution to Australia’s cultural life.

The National Gallery gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Sid and Fiona Myer Family Foundation.

Curator: Rebecca Edwards, Curator, Australian Art