Jessamine Buxton Explained

Jessamine Victoria Alexandrine Buxton (1895–1966) was a South Australian artist and sculptor.

Career

Buxton was educated at Adelaide High School and won a scholarship to study at the South Australian Royal Society of Arts.[1] She later won a travelling scholarship but was not permitted to take it up by her father. She stayed in South Australia all her life and painted and exhibited regularly in Adelaide.[2]

In 1915, Buxton designed a patriotic Christmas card for soldiers, wishing them luck at the Front and a safe return home.[3] [4]

After years of study, Buxton began to teach at the South Australian School of Arts and Crafts. She had a major impact as an art educator and influenced South Australian sculptor and artist John Stuart Dowie.[5] Dowie was also taught by Marie Tuck, another influential South Australian women artist and teacher of the same era.

Awards

Offered the Society of Arts prize, a travelling scholarship.

1936 First Prize in the Autumn Exhibition for Still Life No 11 Zinnias.[6]

Society of Arts prize for modelling.[7]

Media

Buxton used included pastels, watercolours, sculpture, silverpoint drawing, miniature painting, china painting and needlework.[8] During the war, Dr Henry Newland assigned Buxton the task of sketching human organs after they were removed. There was such a shortage of photographers then.

Notes and References

  1. News: Woman Artist of Achievement. 1936-08-08. Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1912 - 1954). 2020-03-12. 2.
  2. Hylton. Jane. 15 April – 17 July 1994. South Australian Women Artists paintings from the 1890s to the 1940s. Art Gallery Board of South Australia. 30.
  3. News: PERSONAL.. 1915-11-11. Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931). 2020-03-12. 6.
  4. https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/7085497
  5. Web site: Fairview Art Collection Still Life. Fairview Historic Home.
  6. News: Opening of Autumn Art Exhibition. 3 April 1936. Adelaide Advertiser. 19.
  7. News: News. 4 August 1927. News (Adelaide, SA: 1923 - 1954), Thursday 4 Aug 1927 p 8.. 8.
  8. Book: Ambrus, Caroline. The Ladies' Picture Show Sources on a century of Australian women artists. Hale & Iremonger. 1984. 0-86806-160-3. Sydney, NSW. 71.