Wendy SHARPE was interviewed by media host and former ABC presenter, Sarah MacDonald for the August issue of Harper’s Bazaar. In addition to Elisabeth CUMMINGS, Ann Thomson, Emily Kame Kngwarreye and Margaret Olley, among many others.
‘Acclaimed Australian artist Wendy Sharpe is not a late bloomer. At 25, she burst onto the scene in 1986 as joint-winner of the Sulman Prize for her triptych Black Sun – Morning to Night, a “metaphorical journey from youth to old age and wisdom”. Now in her sixties, she’s relishing the mastery that age and wisdom brings.Taking a break from making huge mono prints in a Sydney studio,Sharpe is riding a sweet spot – a coming together of knowledge, years of work and practice and the continual creativity of being challenged while still being physically able.She loves watching women who lived other lives come to embrace their creative minds as they age. “There’s a liberation that comes from later years. Women say to themselves, if not now, when? I’m doing the same thing myself.”Sharpe has encouraged friends to go to art school and want seven more celebration of older artists as well as an encouragement of the young. “I think of the fantastic women in their [older age],brilliant people working right now: Elisabeth Cummings, who’s 91,Suzanne Archer [80] and Ann Thomson [92] are all painting as we speak and are all fabulous.” Public prosecutor turned artist Lydiard says Elisabeth Cummings is her hero. Cummings painted most of her life but came to prominence in later years. “I just love her work, and I have a self-portrait by her above my desk which inspires me and encourages me to keep going,” says Lydiard ‘ – excerpt from Sarah MacDonald’s article, page 174-180 [Wendy Sharpe and Elisabeth Cummings feature on page 180].
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