Ethel Carrick

Ethel Carrick (1872–1952) was a pioneering artist who forged new ground in the early twentieth century with her bold and vibrant post-impressionist works. She was a truly transnational artist who was born in Britain and lived and worked primarily in France and Australia.

Her art has often been considered in the light of her husband, Australian artist Emanuel Phillips Fox. However, they were married for only ten years, due to his untimely passing, and she continued to create art for several decades. This retrospective covers the full spectrum of Carrick’s career, including her rich and diverse output during her extensive travels through Europe, India and North Africa, providing an opportunity to better understand the distinctive nature of her artistic contribution, nationally and internationally.

Comprising 140 works, this will be the first retrospective of Carrick’s work for nearly half a century and an opportunity to assess her work in a new light.

The exhibition is accompanied by a significant publication led by Dr Deborah Hart, Head Curator of Australian Art, and with contributions from Angela Goddard, Denise Mimmocchi, Emma Kindred, Rebecca Blake, Jenny McFarlane, Catherine Speck and Juliette Peers.

Ethel Carrick 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.

Curator: Deborah Hart, Head Curator, Australian Art