The Art of Marea Gazzard - Tapa dura

As a sculptor and a craftsperson, Marea Gazzard has been at the forefront of Australian creative achievement for the past three decades. Her sculpture combines an unerring sense of formal grace with a powerful volumetric impact and displays universal qualities which have established her reputation for excellence.
Gazzard's commitment to the crafts movement has engendered respect nationally and internationally. In 1971 she became the inaugural President of the Australian Crafts Council and in 1980 was elected President of the World Crafts Council.
Born in Sydney in 1928 to Greek-Australian parents, Gazzard studied at East Sydney Technical College and at the London Central School of Arts and Crafts. She is acknowledged as one of the most important form ceramists to emerge in England during the 1950s.
Since her return to Australia in 1960, Gazzard has exhibited extensively and is represented in state collections. Her commissions include bronzes for Parliament House, Canberra.
Marea Gazzard: Form and Clay has been designed by Harry Williamson and includes 20 colour plates and 50 black and white photographs by distinguished Australian photographers including David Moore.

Christine France was a tutor in Contemporary Art in the Department of General Studies at the University of New South Wales.